Snow buntings
Snow buntings have a very distinctive look, making them great photographic subjects in winter, says Oscar Dewhurst
SNOW buntings are a hardy, large bunting that breed in the UK in very small numbers. In the winter, however, these residents are joined by continental birds, which increase the chances of finding them. They look very distinctive with their white underparts, buffy markings on their breast and face, and mottled back. Although they breed in very high latitudes in the Arctic tundra, during the winter they can be found along much of the UK’s coasts. Pebble beaches, as well as sandy ones with some rocks, are good spots to check, as well as salt marshes, but they can also turn up inland. Check local bird sightings, as well as websites such as BirdGuides, to see if any have been seen near you.
As with many wildlife species, shooting early or late is always preferable to the middle of the day when the sun is higher and your subjects are less active. When the sun is lower, the light has a much nicer quality, and allows you to experiment with different angles, like backlighting and silhouettes. The other benefit of being out at these times is there tend to be fewer people around. Particularly with birds on beaches, dog walkers can prove extremely frustrating, as they will often inadvertently flush the birds, meaning your work in getting within photographic range is wasted. Getting out early and having the area to yourself means this won’t happen, and of course, the activity levels will be much higher too.