Improve your chances of seeing wildlife with fieldcraft tips from Matthew Capper, keen birdwatcher, photographer and head of communications at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
Observing nature everywhere
Wherever I go, I’m constantly on the lookout for wildlife. As I walk down a street, I notice the ticking call of a wren or repetitive notes of a song thrush. The sight of wildflowers along a footpath enriches my daily experience. As your appreciation for nature grows, so too will your curiosity in fieldcraft.
What is fieldcraft?
Fieldcraft is mastering the behaviours and actions necessary for observing wildlife, combined with understanding of the species, their behaviours and environments. Fieldcraft skills not only allow you to see and experience amazing wildlife but also foster respect for the species and the habitat in which it lives. Here are seven top tips for amazing wildlife experiences:
- Keep your distance
The welfare of the wildlife must come first. Think about the way you move. Walk softly, placing your feet carefully, slowly and quietly. Try not to stand out against the skyline – use tree lines and hedges and keep low if you need to.
One of the most important things you can learn as a wildlife enthusiast is the ‘fear circle’—the distance at which animals flee. Understanding this helps you maintain a respectful distance, observe without disturbing the wildlife and watch for longer.
- Let the wildlife come to you
As tempting as it is to get closer for a better view, some of my best wildlife encounters happen when you let wildlife come to you. If you see something in the distance, carefully choose a spot to sit and wait. - The right place at the right time
Timing is everything in wildlife observation. Learn when certain species are most active or visible due to seasonal behaviours like hibernation or migration and plan your outings accordingly. I know that the swifts in my local town do not return until around the end of the first week in May, although I start to look upwards, more in hope than expectation, from the end of April.
Placing yourself in the right place at the right time is key and many wildlife enthusiasts follow a calendar of wildlife spectacles every year. - Tracks and signs
Learning to read tracks and signs provides a great way to narrow down your search. For example, a badger’s path is fairly easy to recognise through the grass or under a fence. Waiting for animals to use this path at dusk can be extremely rewarding and will greatly increase your chances of sightings.
And when there is a good covering of snow, I love to head out and find the tracks of birds and mammals, tracing their movements and trying to work out who has been where.
- Be weather wise
The weather is surprisingly important in watching wildlife all year round. On warmer days you will be more likely to see creatures out and about. A spot of sunshine can bring out numerous insects and birds that remain hidden on grey overcast days. - Wildlife comes first
Enjoying wildlife is a privilege and should be done responsibly, not at their expense. In cold weather for example, if waders are disturbed while feeding on a beach, they lose valuable feeding time before the next tide comes in. You may think once won’t matter. But when the next person walks along and then the next, the constant flushing can truly be the difference between life and death.
This may not be fieldcraft per se, but I have three golden rules for any wildlife experience. They are to keep dogs on leads and away from areas where they are not allowed, stick to footpaths to avoid trampling vegetation and ensure that all litter is binned or taken home.
- Clothing and equipment basics
While you can enjoy wildlife without any gear, certain equipment can sometimes enhance your nature watching experience. Binoculars can be useful for watching birds and other animals that don’t let you get particularly close. If you can, invest in the best binoculars you can afford – over time they will reward you. Sometimes nature reserves with visitor centres hire out binoculars, so you can get a sample of the action without having to purchase a pair of your own.
Insects, plants and many other species are much easier to get a good look at without any optical enhancement. There’s so much to explore without ever looking through a pair of binoculars! If you want to take your plant and minibeast watching to another level, consider using a hand lens. They come in a range of prices and will reveal new details about familiar species.
Your clothing choices can help you get closer to nature. Wearing muted colours like greens and browns will mean that you don’t stand out. Choosing natural fabrics such as cotton will mean that you don’t rustle when you move.
Immersive wildlife experiences
As with all things, practice makes perfect and it is the combination of all these elements that come together to grow knowledge and deliver ever more immersive wildlife experiences. Watching nature has been a never-ending process that has been a cornerstone of my life and continues to bring me so much pleasure and enjoyment every single day.
