Richard's Pipit - Hartlepool

[Chris Bell]

Record shot taken at c100 yards range with my SX50.

Funnily enough all the other camera toting clowns walking quickly directly towards the bird every time it landed in the grass resulted in it flying off to the opposite end of the cemetery EVERY single time.

The lack of even basic fieldcraft was astounding.

CHRIS BELL

PS: I have no beef whatsoever with photographers (of which I attempt to be myself at times), though perhaps some of our more experienced photographers could pass some of their knowledge on to others.  Most of it is clearly down to inexperience regarding the the subject matter and a little 'camera blindness' rather than being intentional, but running straight towards a bird is unlikely to get you a good shot.  Most of the best shots are taken by those with patience who sit and wait for the bird to come to them.... Some of whom wait for hours to get the perfect shot which deserves respect.

[RCT]

I agree.  Same with the Great-grey Shrike here last month.
And the Shorelark I watched early on Saturday was never going to return with "clowns" spread evenly throughout the area. I heard the word " zombies" used on Saturday to describe the random and clueless wanderings of SOME of the people there.  A fair assessment I believed. 
Can almost understand those who choose to withhold news of good birds on their patch.
It's nearly bonfire night, never a better time to light a touch paper!   ;-)
Cheers
Richard

[AKinghorn]

Well said.....

All the gear, no idea. I never wonder how many get their shots as I've watched them exercise excellent field craft and have been rewarded with stunning shots.

Though a worrying number of birders are joining this "rank" as well. Resist the urge to include me.  

[Dan McKie]

Perhaps the Shore Lark cleared off early on Saturday morning for reasons other than the poor fieldcraft skills of "Zombies, Clowns & over-enthusiastic Photographers". The fact that the earth-mound, north of the Jewish Cemetery, which it happily settled atop on Friday evening was beset at first light by lurchers, terriers, a huge Rottweiler & a charming helmetless shell-suited gentleman ripping doughnuts around the immediate area astride a Suzuki DR350 trail bike sans silencer may have influenced the bird's choice of place for repose.

[chip f]

Have to agree about the bikes ( and off road vehicles ) up there Dan, since the demolition work the whole area from the Golf Club down to beyond The Steetley has become a virtual racetrack. Theres lads ploughing through the dunes and up and down the cliffs in 4 wheel drives and bikes with complete disregard for both wildlife and other humans.

If it carries on into the breeding season the ringed plovers, meadow pipits, skylarks etc have no chance again, as was the case this summer.

No idea what the council and police are doing about it, or the escalating fly tipping epedemic up there, but it would appear to be nothing.

I have to admit I do sometimes take my dog up there, and I believe he may well have inadvertently flushed the Richards Pipit at dusk on Sunday evening, but as the light was fading and I only got a fleeting view of the bird as it disappeared over the wall into the cemetery itself I couldnt make a postive I.D. and I certainly wasnt going to go chasing after the bird at that time of the day in particular.

I'd like to think I'm a fairly responsible dog walker, I always clean up after him, and dont let him hare about in the cemetery itself or chase roosting/feeding birds on the beach . I guess its a hard balance to find between allowing your dog to get some exercise while respecting other wildlife, and not all dog walkers are aware of the needs of birds, particularly when feeding/roosting.

I've said my bit previously on other threads about a small minority of photographers being unconcerned about a birds welfare. I would have thought anyone prepared to spend a grand on kit would also have taken some time to read up on the subject matter.