Wildlife Photography Course in the New Forest, England

Wildlife Photography Course in the New Forest - The New Forest is well known as a haven for wildlife and many visitors come especially to search for rare and exciting species. This wildlife photography excursion is designed to show you the spectacular wildlife of the New Forest national park and give you the time to learn how to photograph it with two experts on hand. The excursion is run jointly by All Things Photography and Project Fred.

Nick Stubbs of All Things Photography is an seasoned professional in many aspects of photography with over 25 years experience and will be on hand to offer guidance during the walks as well as for a couple of short classroom sessions.

Simon Curson of Project Fred is an ecologist who runs wildlife courses and walks in the New Forest and has experience in photographing wildlife, especially using macro-photography. He will be on hand to identify the wildlife we see and give hints on the best ways to photograph the wildlife, when and where to go, how to approach sensitive species etc.

Heathlands hold Dartford Warbler and Woodlark, valley bogs have Sundew, Snipe and rare dragonflies, ancient woodlands are home to Goshawk, Firecrest and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly. The coast offers salt-marsh, sand-dunes and shingle with a great variety of flora and insects.

As well as the wildlife, the landscapes here are beautiful. In the New Forest there are wild valley bogs with horses grazing thigh-deep in water, magnificent panoramic views over vast tracts of heath and ancient woodlands with quiet streams tinkling through. With grazing animals roaming free, it has a character different from anywhere else in Britain. It is easy to find quiet spots if you know where to look.

We place an emphasis on our excursions being enjoyable and fun, while giving you memorable and simple hints on how to photograph and identify the wildlife we see.

The cost of our holidays includes transport around the New Forest. We will collect you each morning from your accommodation and we shall drive you to and from the wildlife sites each day, so you don't have to use your car or worry about directions.

Itinerary: We shall start on Saturday morning with a talk about digital photography by Nick. Then we shall spend the rest of the day out in the field taking photos. The first walk will be around the lecture hall to practise what we have just learnt. After lunch in a nearby pub, we shall get out onto the New Forest proper. We shall visit an area with many wild flowers and Deer.

On Sunday we start the day with another photography walk with great wild flowers, views and, hopefully, Sand Lizards and Snakes. Then we have a short trip to nearby Blashford Lakes to try and photograph birds on the woodland feeders. After lunch we shall have an indoor session on enhancing your digital photos. At most sites there will be ponies and horses to photograph and some great landscapes.

How to book: Please book in advance by e-mailing us at Project Fred or by ringing 01425 673321.

Cost: £175 per person. This package includes all your transport once you have arrived, lecture on wildlife photography, classroom session on how to manipulate and improve your digital photos, 2 experts on hand at all times to help you with photography and identifying what you photograph and a framed copy of your favourite photo that you took during the weekend.

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Length of walks: All walks at a relaxed and leisurely pace with frequent and long stops to photograph the wildlife. None of the walks is more than 4 kms.

What to bring: Waterproof clothes would also be advisable in case of rain and please bring clothes appropriate to the expected weather. Parts of the New Forest are quite exposed and it can be chilly in the wind. Please bring walking boots as parts of the New Forest can get very wet and muddy in wet weather.

Accommodation: You will need to book your own accommodation and it would be helpful to us if you all booked accommodation in the village of Burley. This will help with quick pick ups in the mornings. We shall send you a list of recommended B&Bs in Burley on request. However, to get you started here are a few B&Bs in Burley. Bay Tree House - One double room and one single room at £32 pppn. Wayside Cottage - Four double rooms and 2 twin rooms at £65 per room per night, £40 single occupancy. Highcroft - Three double rooms at £30 pppn, £40 single occupancy.

Additional information: We will be stopping for lunch at a local pub each day. Please note that the lunches and evening meals are not included in the price of the holiday.

Please also note that the paths in the New Forest can get muddy after rain and we will let you know if the paths are likely to be slippery.