Wildlife photographer and ornithologist Kiko Arcas explains where to be and what you can see throughout a year of bird photography
Over the last few months, Kiko Arcas has given us his top tips on technique, equipment and fieldcraft for creating images of wild birds.
In this article, Kiko returns to describe his favourite places for bird photography throughout the year, as well as the challenges and delights that come with the changing seasons.
Bird photography in spring and summer
“Most of my work is done in southern Galicia, in the province of Ourense,” begins Kiko. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t travel to other incredible places both inside and outside of Spain.
“In spring, the arrival of many types of birds from their winter quarters in Africa makes regions like Extremadura or Andalusia must-sees, for both the diversity and quantity of species. Whenever I can, I like to visit a national park such as Monfragüe or the well-known Doñana – places that are a real stimulus for a bird photographer.
“In my case, this time of year takes me out of my comfort zone,” notes Kiko, “as the species I am going to photograph have nothing to do with the ones I usually work with during winter.
“Another area that is a must to visit in spring is the north of the European continent. Countries like Norway and Finland have left their mark on me – particularly the island of Hornøya, or Båtsfjord in the Norwegian Arctic, where thousands of seabirds come to breed every year.
“Also, going deep into the Finnish taiga to photograph bird species that, until recently, I had only seen in bird guides has been a real luxury. Nor can I forget the Farne Islands in England, Skomer in Wales, or Saltee in the south of Ireland – true paradises for a bird photographer.
“But going back to southern Galicia, the arrival in April of species such as wrynecks, cuckoos, swallows, black kites – to name but a few – means I always intensify my photographic activity at this time of year.”
Despite the fine weather that follows in the summer, the next few months normally see a decline in activity from Kiko.
“Summer is perhaps my least favourite time of the year to photograph,” he remarks. “The heat has already become unbearable, and the birds have shed their feathers after breeding. I often decide to take a break after the work done in spring and recharge my batteries for autumn.
“That’s not to say I don’t make photos – there is always something to do – but it’s not my favourite season, that would have to be autumn.”
Bird photography in autumn and winter
The changing seasons provide different natural environments for image making, while shifting patterns of migration bring new subjects for Kiko to photograph with his trusty FUJIFILM X-H2S and FUJINON XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR.
“As it starts getting colder, the forest turns a spectacular colour and the birds have passed the postnuptial moult, so their plumage is beautiful and intact,” he explains.
“One of the things I love about this time of year is the beginning of the migration of waders along the coast of Galicia. All the birds that bred in northern Europe and are now heading for the African continent must pass along the coast.
“It’s a great time to photograph them, as they are mostly juveniles that have never seen a human before – and therefore the degree of trust towards the photographer is total, which makes the work much easier.
“In addition to waders, this time of year offers an excellent opportunity to photograph other migrating birds. In my case, these would be species like the pied flycatcher or willow warbler, which I can only see in the months of postnuptial passage.
After autumn passes, Kiko sets his sights towards different species. “Winter is the season I dedicate to working with small forest birds, as they have newer plumage and, because of the cold, tend to adopt much more attractive postures and poses for the photographer,” he explains.
“Who has ever resisted photographing a robin with its feathers fluffed, forming a perfect little ball with its body?” he asks. “I recognise it is not an easy time for the photographer – the cold often becomes unbearable and there are many hours sitting still in a hide – but I sincerely believe it is worth it.
“For this type of photography, I use a bird feeder, and it attracts many species. Blue tits, great tits, chaffinches and robins, among many others, are the usual subjects of these sessions. My photographic activity doesn’t stop all day long, in spite of the cold and rain.”
Kiko’s favourites
Despite the far-flung locations Kiko has visited – and the rare species crossed off his list – the national parks in his home country remain his preferred stomping grounds.
“Any time of year is good for birdwatching: spring for summer bird visits, winter for large concentrations of waders in estuaries and marshes, autumn for observing postnuptial migration,” details Kiko.
“My favourite location for birdwatching at the moment is the Ebro Delta in Tarragona, but I can’t stop thinking about places like Doñana, Tarifa or Estaca de Bares, among many others – all of them are incredible places where birdwatching is a pleasure, both for the beauty of the place and the sight of thousands of birds around you.”
Of all the birds Kiko is greeted with throughout the year, there is one type in particular that holds a special place in his heart.
“I have sought out one species every year since I started birding and photographing,” he enthuses. “That is the red-backed shrike, a bird I am especially fond of because of all the work I have done with it, both scientifically and photographically.
“Slightly larger than a sparrow and with a predatory character, as if it were a bird of prey, the red-backed shrike is special both in terms of its ethology and biology.
“Perhaps what makes the biggest difference is the way it migrates,” continues Kiko. “Most summer birds that visit the Iberian Peninsula make both the prenuptial and postnuptial passage through the Strait of Gibraltar.
“However, the red-backed shrike does so in quite a different way, as its migratory journey begins on the east African coast, specifically from Mozambique. After going up the Nile, it crosses the Bosphorus Strait and, little by little, traverses the whole of Europe from east to west.
“With breeding sites across countries such as Hungary, Poland, Germany, France or even the distant Finland, you can see the red-backed shrikes begin to arrive at their breeding territories around the month of May.
“Finally, in the middle of the month, the last individuals finally arrive in the south of Galicia, which is the westernmost point of the continent where this species breeds.
“Every year, I create a few images of this bird. It always makes me especially happy to see that, year after year, the same pair returns to occupy the same breeding territory,” Kiko smiles. “I see them on the same branches they usually use as hunting perches, the same bush they will raise a new generation of shrikes and where, the following year, I will return to wait for them, observe them and photograph them once more.”
