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Peter Smart Wildlife Photography

Peter Smart Wildlife Photography provides Wildlife Photography Workshops in the UK & Escorted Tours around the World

Peter Smart Wildlife Photography offers an inspiring and varied programme of Escorted Overseas Photographic Tours, Wildlife Photography Workshops and Training Courses. Peter Smart provides a wide range of photography training courses across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas with the support of his team of experienced tutors. He also manages and lea

ds a programme of Safaris and Overseas Tours. Peter Smart is a Wildlife Photographer and Tour Leader with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from 25 years of travelling to many of the remote and beautiful wildlife hotspots around the World. During the last 20 years he has led nearly 100 tours to more than a dozen different countries and enjoyed the company of hundreds of fellow photographers, many of whom are kind enough to travel with him again and again. Recent destinations have included Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Brazil, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and the Arctic.

05/06/2024

We returned to seabird city - RSPB Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire - during May this year when nests are still being built, mating is taking place and squabbling over space on the cliffs and ownership of nesting material is commonplace. As always, it was an amazing and magical experience.

Unfortunately, apart from our first evening, the weather was unkind to us this year with little sun, lots of rain and a chill wind. For the first time, we couldn’t sit outside the pub for lunch!

While we reacquainted ourselves with the seabirds when we arrived, the highlight of our first day was one of the resident Barn Owls hunting nearby giving us superb views in the evening light.

07/05/2024

Dole Wood, a nearby Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) reserve, is top of our places to visit in early April to enjoy the bluebells and a multitude of other colourful wild flowers. This year we timed it well and the woodland floor was covered in bluebells and wild garlic, punctuated with other colourful species.

Despite it being relatively warm and the presence of plenty of flowers and blossom, there were very few butterflies. However, other insects of interest were a longhorn moth (possibly Green Longhorn) and a shield bug.

06/05/2024

One of the delightful passage migrants that regularly appear for a short while during Spring at RSPB Frampton is the Little Gull. It’s bouncing, almost tern-like, flight and its small size sets it apart from other gulls.

Its plumage & head markings, together with feet & bill colour, should be enough to easily identify the species but, like all gull species, the plumage develops over several years and the intermediate plumages can easily cause confusion.

While flying, the Little Gulls were easy to tell apart from other species by virtue of their flight. despite there being at least three individuals all with differing markings. There were similarly Black-head Gulls around (except their head markings are chocolate brown rather than black) and a Few Mediterranean Gulls that are not only larger but have a redder bill in all plumages and never have dark underwings in any plumage. At one point there was a rare Bonaparte’s Gull … I’m so pleased that I don’t think I saw it and feel the need to distinguish it form the others!

04/05/2024

The Little Egrets, resplendent with their breeding finery, have been more visible during the early Spring along with the occasional Great Egret.

03/05/2024

During April, several species of migrant waders began to appear across the reserve.

Most noticeable were the male Ruffs in their varied plumages; on one occasion we saw three that were completely different within a few yards of each other.

Other colourful passage migrants are the Black-tailed Godwits in the brick red breeding plumage. Avocets have arrived in good numbers and hopefully they will have a good breeding season; they usually start appearing in February and stay until the early summer.

One species that bred for the first time at Frampton in 2023 was the Black-winged Stilt and they were a delight to observe after the chicks had hatched.. They have been seen on the reserve this year and I have managed to capture one distant image so far; hopefully they will breed again.

The rare (or, for Frampton, locally common!) Lesser Yellowlegs has now been on the reserve for over six months after being blown across the Atlantic on its autumn migration in 2023.

25/04/2024

As the winter ducks began to depart and Spring (allegedly!) approached, many of the wildfowl species turned their attention to the breeding season.

Resident Great Crested Grebes were displaying at RSPB Frampton in March, while the migrant Goldeneyes which had been present in good numbers this winter began displaying with their delightful head bobbing action to pair up before their flight north.

23/04/2024

As the huge flocks of Golden Plover that overwinter on the reserve begin to reduce in numbers in March, the most numerous of the Plover family is the larger (Northern) Lapwing. A resident species, they are one of the first to mate, nest and have young.

Much smaller are the Ringed Plover and the similar Little Ringed Plover (LRP). Although similar, the LRP has a yellow eye ring and lacks the yellow legs and bill.

The majority of Ringed Plovers breed in the Arctic and northern Europe and are migratory from Africa, but the smaller number that breed in the UK are resident all year. LRPs are all migratory from Africa and breed throughout Europe although the earliest nest in the UK wasn’t located until 1938.

22/04/2024

From March into early April the number of overwintering birds at RSPB Frampton Marsh begins to drop dramatically, resident birds mate and build nests and summer migrants start to arrive.

One of the first (and certainly the noisiest!) of the smaller migrants to arrive is the Sedge Warbler that sings from the reedbeds. During the first week of April none were heard, but by the middle of the month there were large numbers everywhere. While we have seen and heard other warblers this month (including Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler in our garden) they have all eluded the camera.

The reedbeds are initially shared with the resident Reed Buntings, and later with the Reed Warbler and other species. The arrival of the migrants (plus nicer weather!) triggers the resident species to sing, including Great Tit, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and Dunnock.

The continental White Wagtail is often overlooked but often turns up on passage with Yellow Wagtails that head further north and east to breed. “Our” Pied Wagtail is a subspecies of the White Wagtail and distinguished in summer plumage by a black rather than grey back.

23/03/2024

The Lapwing (Northern Plover) and the closely related Golden Plover have been conspicuous in numbers at RSPB Frampton in February, with the Lapwing starting their delightful display routines as they prepare to nest and the Golden Plovers taking to the air in the thousands whenever a potential threat is detected.

We have seen the Lesser Yellowlegs, the rare visitor from the US, near the car park on each of our recent visits, reflecting on its six month residency at Frampton.

Great Egrets have been appearing more frequently at Frampton, while Little Egrets are common. Cattle Egrets are reported regularly but always seem to elude us.

A few years ago I was out walking at a reserve and came across a huge crowd of keen birders all hoping for a glimpse of their first Little Egret in the UK … how times change!

21/03/2024

During February 2024 we enjoyed several fine days at RSPB Frampton Marsh where, due to the flooding (the area received three times the average rainfall during this month, one of the highest increases in the UK!), the waterfowl were often much closer including he delightful Pintail.

19/03/2024

While I spend much of my time enjoying the sight and sound of the abundant wildlife around RSPB Frampton Marsh, I also enjoy simply observing the constantly changing big skies of Lincolnshire, especially as the colours vary towards sunset … I even do my best to capture a few images although they rarely match the experience of being there.

10/03/2024

During early Winter 2023, the migrant Whooper Swans were regularly seen in large numbers around RSPB Frampton Marsh. As the winter has progressed, smaller numbers have been present but always a welcome sight.

24/02/2024

During the winter months, Golden Plover are present at Frampton in their thousands and often rise together at any hint of a raptor or other disturbance in the area. The closely related Lapwing that are present all year and breed on the reserve, behave similarly although in lesser numbers.

The rare Lesser Yellowlegs was visible on most days during the Autumn and Winter near the car park as it doesn’t seem to know it’s rare!

Snipe are normally solitary or seen in small numbers at Frampton, so to see a Wisp of 11 Snipe was a delightful treat.

As with other species of egret, the Great Egret has become a more regular visitor to Frampton.

19/02/2024

One of the first winter migrants to arrive (October) and one of the last to leave (sometimes as late as May) at RSPB Frampton are the Brent Geese.

The large flocks with their delightful burbling call frequently move between the reserve, the adjacent rivers and The Wash seeking new feeding areas depending on the state of the tide. As well as their call, they are easily distinguishable from other geese in flight as they don’t fly in tight skeins or V-formations). The are the smallest Goose seen in the UK and little bigger than a Mallard.

The dark-bellied subspecies of the Brent Goose breeds in the Russian arctic and as many as 100,000 find their way to East Anglia and the south of England. Light-bellied Brents breed in Svalbard and winter in North-east England and Ireland, while the “Black Brant” breeds in Alaska.

18/02/2024

During the winter months there have been a few glorious sunsets over Frampton Marsh that have coincided with the Starling murmuration and other birds going to roost. During the brief period when the sky begins to turn orange and the sun has finally set, it always amazes me how the light changes from minute to minute, and how the skies full of tens of thousands of birds are suddenly silent.

14/02/2024

Sporadically this winter, a small number of Bearded T**s (or, more accurately, Bearded Reedlings) have been present at Frampton Marsh but often giving only fleeting glimpses. On one visit we were fortunate to see a pair feeding in lovely light and at a reasonable distance for a considerable time.

13/02/2024

During the winter months, a female Common Kestrel frequently accompanied us around Frampton Marsh during our trips. She seemed unworried by our presence and often descended over our heads, intent only on locating her lunch.

On one of the duller days, she suddenly dropped like a stone into the sunflower stalks and rose with lunch in her talons. The light may have been poor and the distance further than we would have liked for high quality images, but the photos tell a great story … including, beforehand, her piercing eyes staring down at us as well as watching her prey.

12/02/2024

Throughout the winter at RSPB Frampton the number of ducks present on the reserve soars. Huge numbers of Wigeon are seen, along with Teal, Shoveler and smaller numbers of Pintail. Diving ducks are represented by good numbers of Goldeneye that, even in January, have started displaying and pair bonding before returning to their breeding grounds. Their numbers were briefly increased by a strange looking hybrid that may have been a cross between a Smew and a Goldeneye but I only managed a record shot of it during its brief stay.

The wonderful whistling of the Wigeon as they wheel over the reserve in large flocks over the Lincolnshire skies is one of the many delights of winter.

11/02/2024

During November 2023 to January 2024 a very large flock of finches and other small birds were seen feeding at the RSPB Frampton reserve. Amongst the Goldfinches, Chaffinches and increasingly uncommon Greenfinches, were a small number of delightful Bramblings. Reed Buntings frequently joined them and Starlings often looked on from the bushes before murmurating.

10/02/2024

From November 2023 to January 2024 we visited RSPB Frampton Marsh, our local nature reserve in Lincolnshire, on many occasions. I have already posted images from just one day in December. This album highlights the variety of birds that were seen during the many visits throughout the three month period.

As well as the Whooper Swans already featured, the greatest regular spectacle was the Starling murmuration that occurred in many days over the Winter. Although we were fortunate to enjoy it several times, the images haven’t done justice to the amazing experience.

The most photographed bird was probably the extremely rare US-visitor, the Lesser Yellowlegs wader, that arrived in the Autumn - presumably blown across the Atlantic during one of the early storms - and seems to have settled in Lincolnshire rather well. Unlike many rarities, this one has been seen near the car park on most days this winter!

A huge finch flock was present on the reserve for a short period and as well as featuring relatively common species such as Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Greenfinch, a few delightful Bramblings were also present.

A personal highlight was the sight (rather than just the call) of Bearded T**s at a reasonable distance and in good light. While these visit regularly, I don’t believe they have bred at Frampton yet.

Whenever a sunset looks to be on the cards, we aim to spend the afternoon at the reserve as the big orange skies and the winter light can be magical … leading to a lot of varied sunset images to sort through in due course!

05/02/2024

During early Winter 2023, the migrant Whooper Swans had spent more time and in greater numbers at RSPB Frampton Marsh than in the past. Usually they feed on the surrounding fields during the day and come in to reserve under the cover of darkness, and leave at dawn.

On one frosty and sunny day in December 2023 with much of the open water frozen and probably their feeding grounds too, large numbers of these charismatic swans stayed on the reserve throughout the day.

04/02/2024

This Autumn and Winter in Lincolnshire has, like much of the rest of the country, been characterised by heavy rain, strong storms, fierce winds … and even more heavy rain! Bright days have been in short supply but one day in early December was exceptional with the first harsh frost of the winter, together with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine!

The huge numbers of migrant Whooper Swans overnighting at RSPB Frampton Marsh (flying in after dusk and out before dawn) have been one of many highlights, but unusually on this icy morning many elected to stay on the reserve. The numbers of these delightful swans have grown each year on this relatively new man-made reserve (a little over ten years from being vegetable fields) and this year they were in the high hundreds for a while.

Brent Geese and other migrant wildfowl have all been present in good numbers together with waders such as Golden Plover and Lapwing.

A fleeting highlight was a hunt by a Peregrine putting tens of thousands of birds into the air as is so often the case during the winter months. Unusually I managed a few shots - less than perfect with the visitor centre in the background - before the raptor disappeared, but the Wigeon peeping up from a ditch and watching the hunter’s approach did manage to escape!

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