Coastal Birds in Close Up - Devon

The Living Coasts is a relatively new and impressive collection of coastal species, all set within a huge harbour side aviary in Torquay, Devon. It has won a number of awards for its innovative and naturalistic enclosures and this combined with a beautiful range of species makes it a great place for photography. This workshop aims to give our delegates some unique opportunities to photograph a number of unusual species close-up. Our small group of photographers will be escorted by a Wild Arena photographic guide and Living Coasts keeper to find the best angles and times to capture some memorable images.

The centre is currently home to around 25 species of birds and mammals and we hope to photograph; Macaroni Penguins, African Penguins, Eider Ducks, Tufted Puffin, Pigeon and Common Guillemot, Bank Cormorants, Incas Terns, Pied Avocets, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit and even South American Fur Seals.

We will start by photographing the African and Macaroni penguins on their natural sandy beach during their morning feed. Like many of the animals, the penguins can also be seen ‘flying’ underwater through the viewing windows downstairs. This is a good opportunity to use a fairly wide angle lens to capture the birds swimming near the glass.  From here we move to the impressive Auk cliff display with its splashing wave action. The cliff here is populated by 2 species of Guillemot, Kittiwakes and the spectacular Tufted Puffin. This fabulous enclosure allows us to capture images of the birds both perching on the cliff ledges and swimming in the moving water at its base. We will also explore the whole site to give you a feel of the possibilities for the day. 

After lunch on the restaurant terrace, we will return to Auk cliff and the Guillemots and Puffins. We will also get a chance to photograph the free range Banks Cormorant and Caspian and Inca Terns that frequent this area of the collection. They will often perch on rocks and outcrops that provide an excellent background for natural looking portrait pictures.

After a quick Tea/Coffee break back on the restaurant terrace we will move to the upper level of the centre for our final photography session. A keeper will provide a feed for the spectacular Inca Terns in the upper pool and we will have some great chances to capture these beautiful birds diving into the water, flying around our heads and perching close by for portrait images. Finally we will visit the wading bird section and capture these beautiful creatures at the waters’ edge in the warm afternoon light. It is sometimes possible to arrange for the wader enclosure to be drained and refilled on our visits. This gives some great close up opportunities of waders feeding and bathing with the sun providing beautiful back lighting. Nearby, the sea ducks including King and Spectacled Eiders are fed in the afternoon. We will also photograph the South American Fur Seals feeding and basking in their rocky enclosure and from beneath the water using the viewing windows and circular dome porthole.

• Fitness

This workshop is suitable for delegates with most fitness levels. The site is quite compact, but accessed via numerous sloped concrete pathways.

• Photography Level

This workshop is suitable for more experienced photographers and a long lens is very useful. The Wild Arena guide will also be happy to provide help and advice to those delegates wishing to improve their knowledge of photography. 

• Disability Access

The site is fully accessible by wheelchairs, and there are disabled toilet facilities within the complex. The main access is through sloped pathways and though the site is small, the paths slowly climb up around 15 metres. Wheelchair users or those guests with specific needs are advised to contact us before booking and we will do our very best to accommodate you.

• Group Size

        The normal group size for this event is 8 photographers