Black Necked Grebe at RSPB St Aidans
Join me on an exciting birdwatching adventure at RSPB St Aidan's, where I set out to capture stunning photographs of the elusive Black-Necked Grebe. Nestled in the heart of West Yorkshire, this nature reserve is a haven for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike. In this video, I take you along as I explore the diverse habitats of St Aidan's, sharing tips and tricks for bird photography along the way.
From the moment I arrive, you'll get an insider's look at the picturesque landscapes and the variety of bird species that call this place home. Watch as I navigate through reed beds, lagoons, and open water areas, all in search of the perfect shot of the Black-Necked Grebe. I'll also share some fascinating facts about these beautiful birds and the best times and locations to spot them within the reserve.
Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a photography enthusiast, or simply love nature, this video offers a glimpse into the serene beauty of RSPB St Aidan's and the thrill of capturing one of its rarest residents on camera. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more birdwatching adventures and photography tips!
#Birdwatching #Photography #RSPB #BlackNeckedGrebe #NatureReserve #StAidans #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers
Пікірлер: 125
Great to share your excitement as well as the fantastic pictures 😊
@danwillis_photography
19 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Simon, appreciated 👍🏻
What a beautiful adventure😘
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Sue, always appreciated 😊
Great video as usual Dan. Your enthusiasm really shines through especially when you saw the grebes and got the shots. We all live for that moment. Well done. I love these kinds of videos. Great job of putting it together too mate. Cheers Scott.
@danwillis_photography
19 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Scott, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
That great crested grebe family was wonderful. Grebe chicks of many species seem to have that zebra-like pattern on them. Pied-billed grebes are in my area for mating but I've never seen a chick yet. I did however get one flying. Those huge feet are so cute. You're fortunate to have gotten such a shot of the black necked grebe!
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it mate. Pied-billed Grebes look very similar to little grebes, are you based in the US? All the best 👍🏻
@hstein27
26 күн бұрын
@@danwillis_photography Yes, in Massachusetts. I've not seen any Pied-billed chicks yet. We also get Horned Grebes, which are also similar to the little grebes. They migrate out in spring, but a few weeks ago we had some in near-breeding plumage, which was a treat!
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
@@hstein27 sounds awesome 👍🏻
Great film Dan, cracking shots too! It's a great venue but on really hot days or very wet days there is nowhere to shelter, believe it or not it can get really hot there! Cheers.
@danwillis_photography
25 күн бұрын
I can imagine it can be difficult due to the lack of shelter and I hadn’t thought of that, thanks for your comment I appreciate it 👍🏻
Great video Dan! I loved the “Proud Mum” image, but all the images were great!! Thanks very much for taking us along!!
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
Thanks Patty, as always I really appreciate your comments and continued support. All the very best 👍🏻
Braw video and bringing back memories of childhood (PEE-WIT, PEE-WIT)
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much, I really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Stunning images. Hope that your Pops is recovering well!
@danwillis_photography
23 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it. Pops is doing great thanks for asking 👍🏻
Great video Dan and you got some cracking shots of the black necked grebe! Great to see pops up and about too😊 I actually found a black necked grebe randomly at chew valley lake (Bristol) back in April. I had no idea what it was until I looked it up. When I reported it to Avon birds I was told it's the first one reported this year at the lake and that they are not a common sighting there anymore so was pretty chuffed to find it
@danwillis_photography
25 күн бұрын
That’s a cracking find Jon I would’ve been well chuffed too mate. Thanks for your comment and all the best 👍🏻
Cracking video dan, when i filmed the humbugs they were down to 3 chicks. Thanks
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Alex, I really appreciate it 👍🏻 Shame to read that the Grebes seem to have lost a chick
lovely images Dan - its a great day out and somewhere I never spend enough time at given how close I live. I was there at the weekend and was photographing the great crested grebe also but sadly they kept their distance.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Mark, I would definitely spend more time there given the chance it’s a cracking reserve. All the best 👍🏻
Great to meet you out in the wild at St Aidan’s Dan. I’ve learned so much from your channel and find the insights invaluable.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Cheers Richard it was an absolute pleasure to meet you too mate. All the best 👍🏻
Great videos and envious of the clarity of yur photo’s!
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
Thanks so much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Absolutely brilliant Dan, it's days like these that keeps you coming back !!!
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Andy, I really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Great Vlog man, as always, I’m hoping to get down there the weekend. The grebe photos were fantastic. We call the lapwings peewits as well. But I think that was down to iolo Williams
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Alun, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Brilliant video with the black neck grebe and the little humbugs 👍🏻👍🏻
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Very nice, Dan. Loved the images of the Blacked Necked Grebe, just a shame the Bittern didn't turn up.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
The chance of a Bittern will keep me going back. Thanks and all the very best 👍🏻
Fantastic foties again Dan. The one of the black necked grebe is outstanding. ❤
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Andrew I really appreciate it 👍🏻
fantastic, i love it at St Aidan's, so much wildlife an land to cover it's amazing. Something new every day to see.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
I completely agree with you, it’s an absolutely stunning reserve 👍🏻
Congrats on bursting that 5K mark, Dan! Great work! You deserve every sub and more!
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Jon, I really appreciate it 👍🏻
One word. MAGIC
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Tom, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Great video! I like the harness carrying the tripod. What is that? Can you post a link to it?
@Ramble_on_productions
27 күн бұрын
Yeah post the link for that harness pls
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻 The harness is from Cley Spy called the Mule Pack, I’m currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for a discount for watchers of my channel 👍🏻
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
The harness is from Cley Spy called the Mule Pack, I’m currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for a discount for watchers of my channel 👍🏻
Worth the short wait. Glad you got to see the BNGs Dan, and get some great shots of them. They can be elusive , some days nothing and others when you hit lucky several opportunities, particularly when they are with chicks. Great video presented with your usual excellent enthusastic approach, and excitement when you get those great shots.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Rob, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻 All the best
Beautiful Grebe . In my area of the US, we have pied-billed grebes. I’ve never been able to photograph them with the chicks on their back. It’s one of my target shots for the future. Nice work! I love this water bird. If you startle them they sink straight down like an elevator. Love the channel, thanks for sharing your work.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it. I had to look up pied-billed grebe and they look very similar to the little grebe which are absolutely stunning. All the very best 👍🏻
Great video Dan, I was intrigued with the set up you had to hold/carry your tripod on your back, I couldn’t see it properly but is that a DIY set up or is it something you bought? Loved the running shot by the way. 👍👍👍👏👏👏
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it. The tripod carrier is from Cley Spy called the Mule Pack. I’m currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for a discount for the watchers of the channel. All the best 👍🏻
Great stuff again Dan. Stunning shots of the Grebes. I also remember lapwings being called pee-wits when I was young as well. 😃👍
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Ian, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Beautiful bird, the black necked grebe. Great vlog. Love your enthusiasm 👍
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Michael, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Another great spot with some great photographs. The Great Crested Grebes are one of the most photogenic species. I finally made my mind up and splashed out on a Canon R5 so I'm keen to get my hands on it and give it a test run. I was interested in your comment about not carrying your camera mounted to the tripod. Makes good sense. Just interested as to what you use to carry the tripod?
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much John. I bet you can’t wait to take delivery of the R5 👍🏻 The tripod carrier is from Cley Spy called the Mule Pack, I’m currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for a discount for watchers of my channel 👍🏻
@johngunning2123
26 күн бұрын
@@danwillis_photography Thanks Dan. I'll hang off buying one for a few weeks but I intend to buy one before I head over to the UK. It's a great idea.
‘Humbugs’ shot is just gorgeous. Fab video Dan 😃
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much mate I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Lovely video Dan, I’ve never seen a black-necked grebe but I will definitely be on the lookout now, stunning bird. St.Aiden’s is a great reserve and a testament to what can be achieved on old industrial land. Thanks
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Rik I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Super video Dan, I can’t get over the colour of the Black Necked Grebes eyes, stunning
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Derek I really appreciate it mate👍🏻
Fab video Dan with some wonderful shots. Looks like an amazing location. Well done 👍
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Richard, I really appreciate it mate👍🏻
Those are some money shots for sure. Great photos. Thank you for sharing.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Todd, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Brilliant footage of the Grebe, you certainly deserve more subscribers keep going you will benefit from your hard work, just a question are you able to post the harness you were wearing, keen to look into it, thanks once again.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much for your kind words mate I really appreciate it. The harness is from Cley Spy called the Mule Pack. I’m currently in negotiations with the manufacturer for a discount for my watchers of the channel 👍🏻
@deolimjo
26 күн бұрын
Thank you Dan, keep us posted I will take advantage once you come to an agreement with them
Another venue on my bucket list. Thanks Dan not only for the great video, but also for introducing different sites that we can all visit. The Lap wings are fabulous, I also call them Peewits or plovers. The Grebe's are beautiful, I've not seen one yet but we do get them here, the humbugs are delightful. As a thought, can you give us mere mortals an insight to your camera and video settings whilst on these trips, I think I and many others would find that useful. Thanks again Dan, most enjoyable. Regards Andy
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Andy and thank you for your feedback and suggestions for developing the channel further. I will definitely take this onboard and build it into the videos in the future mate. All the very best 👍🏻
I’m glad you had a successful day at our local reserve Dan
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Looking forward to this one Dan! A favourite site and bird.
@danwillis_photography
Ай бұрын
Cheers Rob, I hope you enjoy it nearly as much as I enjoyed filming it mate 👍🏻
very beautiful images of this black-necked grebe. Thank you for sharing . (just one question: what miracle strap for carrying the 400 mm?)
@danwillis_photography
19 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I appreciate it. The strap is called The Slider and it’s from Peak Design 👍🏻
@sangliersepromene
19 күн бұрын
Merci 👍🏻
Love the speed skater.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Go on long time and not get shots like those again of the black necked Grebes. We have them at Newstead and Annesley and never got any shots even close to yours 😄
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Steve, I definitely felt lucky to get those shots of the Black Necked Grebe that's for sure. All the best
Congress on reaching 5k on KZread mate. Yet another fantastic vlog
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Cheers John, I really appreciate that mate 👍🏻
Stunning images.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Nigel, really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Great video and aesme footage of the Great Grebe and Humbugs
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Sean I really appreciate it. All the very best mate 👍🏻
What a great video mate! Thanks for sharing!
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Terry, I really appreciate it 👍🏻
fantastic photographs Dan.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Kathryn , really appreciate it 😊
Stunning shots
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Brilliant as always 💙
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Brilliant Dan. 👍🏻
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Craig, I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Beautiful photos. What tripod and head do you use?
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks Tomek, I use a Gitzo series 5 systematic tripod paired with a Gitzo fluid gimbal head 👍🏻
Fantastic video, a couple of questions recently bought a z 180-600 am I best to attach my camera strap to the lens and what make is you cover you use on your lens. Hope you dad is getting on ok, also in Scotland where I was born we called the Lapwing the Peewit as well.
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Donald really appreciate it. Definitely attach the strap to the lens and not the body as this limits excessive pressure on the mount. The covers are from Rolanpro which I think you can order from Amazon, link below 👇🏻 amzn.to/3RfEBDA All the very best 👍🏻
@donaldstewart3799
26 күн бұрын
@@danwillis_photography thanks will check it out
Hi Dan, greatavideo as always. You mention carrying your tripod on your back. What are you using. Looks like a Ruck without the Sack? Much appreciated, Steven
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Steven. The tripod carrier is from a company called Cley Spy and the item is called the Mule Pack. Due to the high amount of interest I’m currently in negotiations with the company to get a discount for watchers of the channel 👍🏻
@brownie3609
23 күн бұрын
@@danwillis_photography Lovely Thanks Dan. Feels like a need one of those. Not desperate so i'll hold to see how you get on. Keep up the good work. All the best, Steven
Dan how do you carry your tripod on your back. What kind of strap is it
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Hi, the strap is from a company called Cley Spy and it’s called the Mule Pack. I’m currently in negotiations to try and get a discount for watchers of the channel, so watch this space 👍🏻
@user-rf2yk6jm4k
26 күн бұрын
Ok thanks for the information
Just curious if your thumbnail is one of your shots or AI generated?
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
It’s AI generated, it’s something that I have been experimenting with, would love to know your thoughts?
@bezzerb9914
21 күн бұрын
Thanks for your reply Dan. I'll be honest and say that I'm not an AI fan. I think it does a bit of a disservice to your own images that you made. I also think it is a bit bait worthy. I understand you want as many views and followers as you can and I hope it won't hurt your channel by me giving my true opinion. I'm a birder and photographer myself and have thought about delving into the pool of KZread so I have only respect and admiration for what you are doing. Your latest GCG vid had more than enough of your own images that would have made great thumbnails! I hope you realise that I am not knocking you in any way. I enjoy seeing your passion for UK wildlife and long may it continue!
@danwillis_photography
20 күн бұрын
@@bezzerb9914 I appreciate your honest feedback to be honest. I had taken some advice from a content creator who said that my thumbnails were not good and to try ai generated images. I completely know what you mean about click bait but thought I’d give them a go. Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion, I appreciate it 👍🏻
think ill be paying a visit here a bit of a daft question do u and ur dad go to Stalybridge camera club
@danwillis_photography
26 күн бұрын
Thanks Michael, yes me and Pops are members of Stalybridge camera club 👍🏻
@michaelsaltsman7550
25 күн бұрын
@@danwillis_photography haha yes i used to be but joined the daisy nook camera club as spend most my time there lol
@danwillis_photography
25 күн бұрын
@@michaelsaltsman7550 that’s great, Daisy Nook certainly seems to be an upcoming club 👍🏻
Pretty low angle on those grebe photos, guess like all the other non birding togs on here you were off piste? Naughty.
@danwillis_photography
24 күн бұрын
I wasn't off piste I was on the path at a gap in the reeds, you can see that from the video clip where I got the shot of the black necked grebe. I would not jeopardise the birds in any way