Finding a nest to photograph

You will need patience, knowledge, good powers of observation and luck

If you have ever gone in search of a bird's nest to capture pictures of our feathered friends "at home," you will know that finding one takes patience and skill. It doesn't hurt to have a little luck, too.

Having knowledge of a particular bird's habits, usual behavior, breeding season, typical nesting area, and the characteristics of its nest is invaluable. A trip to the library to conduct research on a specific species will provide you with helpful information.

WHEN TO LOOK FOR A NEST

In the northern hemisphere, nesting activity for the majority of species usually begins with the onset of warmer weather, and generally runs from May through July. However, some species have nesting periods that begin as early as March while others, especially birds that have up to three broods in a season, may still be caring for nestlings in September. The habits of birds nesting well south of the equator is similar, except that the time frames are advanced by about six months - November instead of May, for example.

WHERE TO BEGIN SEARCHING

Surprisingly, you can often start looking for birds' nests in your own backyard or neighborhood parks if they have trees, shrubbery and untrammeled areas. Don't expect to find nests in a well-used playground (although birds sometimes build a nest in the most surprising places), but the woods next to a playground could well be a popular nesting area. Searching in the countryside, in forested areas, marsh lands and places that contain features suited to a species' preferred nesting spots, will generate results when you apply keen observation and perseverance. Having knowledge of what you are looking for (nest size, typical locations, typical height above the ground, and the nest-building materials that a species generally employs) gives you a big edge in successfully locating a nest. Carrying a field guide with you that describes and illustrates the bird species in the area gives you an instant reference for bird identification and behavior that can lead to nest photo opportunities.

Keep in mind that many birds are masters of concealment, especially when it comes to their nests. You could pass within a few feet of a nest, look directly towards it and not see it. Leaves, branches and shadows provide natural camouflage that work in favor of keeping a nest hidden from view.

If you have the good fortune to be in an area where the bird population is heavy and includes exotic species, such as a Costan Rican rainforest, for example, simply wandering around can lead to good bird pictures. But, hiring a guide who is familiar with local species and the terrain can make the difference between success and disappointment in locating a nest. A knowledgeable, experienced guide can also keep you from wandering into areas that can be hazardous or from getting lost in the jungle.

HOW TO FIND A NEST TO PHOTOGRAPH

You may have a birding club in your neighborhood in which there are members who can offer assistance or who may permit you to accompany them on a field trip. These informed and enthusiastic people make excellent guides, and can be an asset in providing advice on minimizing disturbance to birds as well as adding to your knowledge of their hobby.

Park rangers, local community information offices and published area guides may be able to direct you to known nesting sites of larger species, such as eagles and ospreys, and to wildlife preservation areas in which a variety of birds are known to make their nests. Wildfowl conservation areas often have observation platforms overlooking popular bird sites, giving you a place to not only be relatively close to many birds and their nests, but to also conceal yourself and your camera in relative comfort from their view.

Birds themselves will often provide an observer with clues to the location of their nest, especially when building the nest and when bringing food for their young in the nest.

In the breeding season, watch for birds that repeatedly fly to a particular spot - a tree, a bush, a stand of grass. There is a good chance there is a nest nearby, especially if the bird is carrying food or nesting material. Allow yourself plenty of time. It may take a good deal of perseverance as you approach closer with each flight, but with patience you should soon narrow down the nest site.

Ground nests in fields and marsh areas can sometimes be located more easily when the bird leaves the nest. Birds will often land a good distance from their nest, then make their way to it by walking, usually at a pretty fast speed. However, these same birds when leaving the nest will often fly directly up from it, making it easier for you to locate if you are observant.

WHEN YOU’VE FOUND A NEST

Once you have located a nest site, mark its location so you can return periodically over the next few weeks to photograph activities as they develop, especially if the nest is in a spot that may be difficult to find again. Don’t make your marker too obvious. Do it in a manner that won’t attract others to it, for example, by stacking a small pile of rocks or branches a dozen steps away from the site, or placing a ribbon on a nearby branch. If you are carrying a notebook, you can also draw a rough map to help you get back to it.

This is the time to look around for a suitable location from which to take pictures, bearing in mind the focal length of the lens you will be using. The location should be close enough to allow you to fill the frame with your subject. Other important considerations are the direction of the light at the time of day you expect to be shooting, the background and any obstructions to your line of sight. If the location provides you with cover, great. If not, you may need to construct a blind to conceal you from the birds’ view if you intend to monitor the nest over time and photograph evolving events.

Carrying a stepladder to a good vantage point near the nest can greatly improve your line of sight, allowing you to maybe photograph a clutch of newly-laid eggs or even young birds as they pop up their heads.

Keep the welfare of your subjects in mind when you are in the vicinity of their nest. You should not get too close or visit the spot so frequently that you appear to be a threat to the parent birds. A startled parent bird might fly off suddenly if you surprise it, accidentally knocking eggs or nestlings out of the nest in its urgency to get away. A fright can be enough to scare the parents permanently away. If you are sure that you are not being noticed by the birds when you arrive and depart or when you are concealed as you photograph them, then the frequency of your visits is not a problem. It could become one, though, if other people take note of what you are doing, and start poking around, frightening the birds. If a curious cat has its eye on you, you may inadvertantly invite it to go looking for the nest when you aren't around.

Don't touch or handle eggs or nestlings. You will be leaving your scent, and you might be surprised to find out just how fragile a small bird's egg can be, cracking it accidentally. Some very young birds are helpless, and incapable of getting themselves back into the safety of the nest's bowl if you move them. You may even find yourself under attack from a brave mother bird, defending her offspring. Many species are protected by law, and it can be illegal just to disturb nests or to possess eggs or youngsters.

If you should spot birds in the process of building a nest, stay at a distance until the nest construction is finished, and then get closer to see if they have begun to lay eggs, taking care not to frighten them off.

If you are in an area where nest-building occurs on or close to the ground, watch where you are stepping so that you don't accidentally trample on a nest, especially one with nestlings. The same awareness is needed when moving through brush, since many species build their nests in low shrubs, and you could dislodge one by brushing against them as you pass by.

Watch that you are not disturbing or trampling down the vegetation near a nest, marking it as a place of interest for unwanted curious eyes, and possibly exposing a covered nest by removing its protective plant material.

Remember the wildlife photography adage: Take only pictures; leave only footprints.

Take care not to disturb the nest or its occupants, and be sure to leave everything in its natural state.