How to Pack for a Bird Photography Photo Safari

^{Note: This tip comes from Audubon’s article - Here’s How to Prepare for a Bird Photography Trip}

Maybe there’s a grail bird that you’re determined to get. Or perhaps you’d like to take full advantage of spring migration to photograph a hotspot of avian activity. Either way, your best course of action might be to pack your bags, hop in the car or on a plane, and head across the country. A bird photography trip can be a great way to enjoy a hard-earned vacation and expand your portfolio, but careful planning is essential to ensure success.

Tip #1 - Pick Your Destination And Don’t Become Distracted

First, you’ll need to decide where to go. If you’re after a specific bird—such as the California Condor, home at Pinnacles National Park—that choice might be made for you.

But to maximize the variety of photos you can expect to get you might consider a destination well known for a range of different habitats and species.

For example, Magee Marsh, a warbler-migration hotspot on Lake Erie in Ohio, features swamp, forest, and beach habitats. In May, you can see more than 30 species of warblers and vireos there, plus many other types of birds.

You can assess the species diversity of a site by looking at eBird checklists, and you can get an idea of its habitats and shooting opportunities by searching Flickr for photos taken there. Blogs by birders and birding groups local to the site are also helpful, and you can find these with a Google search.

Tip #2 - Figure Out the Timing

Be sure to check what season—and even what month or week—is best for the destination or species you’re after.

For example, migration hotspots can be great during either the spring or fall migration but might be very slow at other times of the year. Also, many birds’ plumages can differ seasonally, with breeding plumages often more photogenic than their winter attire.

Even within a season, the timing can vary, so for migration hotspots, it’s best to plan on staying for more than a couple of days to improve your chances of being there when a big wave of birds comes through. 

Browsing seasonal checklists is one way to glean information about the timing of bird movements, but talking to other birders and photographers with firsthand knowledge is typically best.

Tip #3 – Nail Down The Logistics

Once you’ve settled on a location, arrange for lodging as close to the site as possible to reduce your drive time. Check when the site opens and closes, and see if they offer a photographer’s pass that will let you in early or stay later (for sunset shots).

Tip #4 – Decide What To Pack And What To Leave Home

Make a checklist of everything you need on the road or in the field.

 Choose warmer or cooler clothing depending on the habitat, and bring along waterproof boots and a waterproof camera bag if you’ll be in a swampy habitat or on a boat.

Some essential items that should be on the list (in addition to your camera and lens!) include sunscreen and bug spray, comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, a vest or coat with many pockets, knee pads for shooting while kneeling, a waterproof cover or plastic trash bags to put over your equipment if it rains, extra memory cards and batteries, lens cleaner, and a regional field guide.

Most of all, have fun.

Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)