Elmley Nature Reserve is a place that is very close to my heart as it is here that for more than 30 years, I have dedicated thousands of hours to capturing its wildlife and many moods. At 3,300 acres, it is Southern England's largest area of coastal grazing marsh and an internationally important site for many species including lapwing, redshank, avocet, godwit and marsh harrier. It is also the UK's only NNR where overnight stays are permitted and with our accommodation strategically positioned looking over the marsh, I was understandably excited to welcome my guests for the next few days.
The weather on arrival day left a lot to be desired with strong winds and snow flurries. We took a stroll (albeit a rather brief one!) and even took some photos, including the one below. However, it didn't matter, for the day was merely to settle in and take in the breathtaking views from the cottage window.
The forecast for the next two seemed quite unbelievable. Given that for several weeks leading up to the workshop we had experienced near-constant wind and rain, the forecast for the outlook for the next couple of days was for clear skies!
As dawn broke, I took the group deep into the reserve to a favourite spot of mine where I knew there would be large flocks of duck and brent geese leaving their roosts to feed on The Swale. Anticipation built as in the distance I could see and hear a huge 'raft' on one of the ditches. As their whistling calls grew louder, I warmed the group to be ready, and boy, what a sight! Three waves, hundreds strong, flew directly overhead. It was just the experience I had hoped for them. Elmley at its most evocative!
Arriving back at the cottage, we took a stroll along a track that was well known for harbouring barn owls. We weren't disappointed. In fact, on two consecutive mornings, we had some wonderful sightings with numerous close-to fly-bys giving everyone a fantastic chance of capturing these beautiful birds.
The newly acquired Nikon Z8 with 400mm f/4.5 was used here alternating between 3D and Custom Box 2 with animal tracking. As yet, unlike the Z9, the Z8 doesn't have bird tracking. For the most part, it coped very well but understandably lost focus when it was flying against the grass. Confusing for any AF system, I guess.
A backlit barn owl's hard to beat!
That afternoon, using the reserve's open top-and-side Land Rover, I took the group to the very far end of the reserve to Windmill Creek which is closed to the general public. Unfortunately, clear skies continued (though better than wind and rain!) which didn't exactly lend itself to landscape photography but I hoped, in any case, they enjoyed the experience of simply being out on the marsh.
The night was clear, cold and still so we went for a wander to capture the reserve at night. Throughout the winter, the reserve is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays so we had the place to ourselves. A nearby pond and shepherd hut provided the perfect subject to hone our astro skills.
A glorious frosty morning awaited us on the final day with the pool filled with wigeon. One of the main advantages to staying on the reserve is that views like this are on your doorstep - quite literally in this case! A few steps from the back door!
We wandered back down the track and although there was a little barn owl activity, nothing like what we experienced on the previous days. It was nice to get a shot of these godwits, though, as they flew past us bathed in the warm, winter sun. A wonderful morning to conclude the workshop.
We're looking forward to hosting more in 2025; details of which will be on the workshop page in due course. If you're at all interested in attending, drop me a line, here, and I'll be happy to add you to the list.
