Finding the Best Spot: Location Scouting for Bird and Mammal Photography

The best photo hide in the world won't deliver results if you set it up in the wrong spot. Location scouting is arguably the most underrated skill in nature photography — more important than camera technique or the latest gear. In this article we share what to look for when choosing a spot.

Look for signs of activity

Footprints, droppings, prey remains, nests or feeding spots tell you where animals actually come — not where you think they should be. Spend time reading an area before you set up a hide; fresh signs are a better predictor than a nice view.

Think about light direction

For the best exposure, you'll want the sun behind or to the side of you, not straight into the lens. Check in advance where the sun rises and sets at your location, and plan your setup accordingly — especially with a fixed hide position you can't adjust once you're inside.

Take wind direction into account

Mammals can smell you from far away. Position your hide so the prevailing wind carries your scent away from where you expect the animals, not towards them. This matters less for bird photography, but for mammals, the wrong wind direction can end a session before it starts.

Fixed routes and gathering spots

Water, food and cover attract animals to predictable spots at predictable times: drinking spots, feeding grounds, travel routes between cover. A location that combines several of these elements is often more productive than a spot that looks nice but is isolated.

Scout first, photograph later

A trail camera confirms activity at a spot over days or weeks, before you invest a whole session in a hide — that saves you a lot of wasted waiting time and shows you when activity peaks during the day.

Patience and repetition

Your first visit to a new spot rarely produces the best images. Animals get used to a hide after a few visits, and in the meantime you learn the rhythm of the place: when activity peaks, and from which direction animals usually appear.

Respect the terrain

Ask permission on private land, follow local rules around protected areas and breeding seasons, and never disturb wildlife for a photo. Read more about this in our guide on field ethics for nature photographers.

Conclusion

A good location is the foundation of every successful session — often more important than the hide or camera you use. Take the time to scout before setting up a hide. Browse our range of photo hides and trail cameras to help you get started.