The BEST bird photography location in the UK! 🌎 📸

[@RachelBigsby]

I hope you enjoyed discovering my favourite location! 🎉 What’s your favourite location to photograph? 📸🌎

[@darrenspeak1785]

Depends what I’m photographing. If it’s seabirds, then it’s Bempton cliffs and the Flamborough area. For other birds it’s just my local area, I’m lucky to have quite a few different Barn owls close by which are always a treat to try and photograph. For landscapes I love the Yorkshire dales, especially swaledale.

[@David-rc8fb]

@@RachelBigsby Dorset, Purbeck Coast or Portland. Especially in wild weather 🌦️

[@Iceshocker]

❤❤So beautiful!! You are am amazing photographer!!❤❤ Awesome photos!!

[@timhiggs]

Nice video. Liked the tern and gannet pictures. Imaginative compositions. Shetland on my list for next year..

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful time.

[@namboozleUK]

Looks like an increddible place to visit. The shots of the gannets during the 'flu are absolutely harrowing - that must've been an awful experience. The black and white shot with the beam of light on the gannet is great!

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for watching, commenting and appreciating both sides to the gannet photography work.

[@OldGirlPhotography]

Wow, just wow. There are many wildlife photographers with wonderful work, but the artistry that you bring to yours, Rachel, stands far above. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your talent.

[@RachelBigsby]

Wow! I am so happy reading this comment. What a kind and thoughtful thing to say, I really appreciate this. Thanks so much 😊

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Thanks for sharing your trip experience ❤👏🙏

[@RachelBigsby]

My pleasure 😊 thank you for finding the time to watch and comment!

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Wonderful video Rachel, well done!

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@WalkingEng]

What a fantastic video. So many incredible birds there, those Gannets and Puffins are just so special. Thank you Rachel.

[@RachelBigsby]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching 😃

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Fantastic Rachel.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much!

[@oris1978]

Good job !!!

[@RachelBigsby]

Thanks!!

[@LaurentMaggiore1611]

Great Video. 👍

[@RachelBigsby]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

[@archibaldo4873]

brilliant idea to make low key photography of the birds against the cliffs - so nice!

[@RachelBigsby]

I’m glad you liked it! Thank you for watching 😃

[@bjarnehyldgaard]

Stunning pictures the gannets - thanks for sharing 👍

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for watching :-)

[@johnlowe7097]

Fantastic video Rachel loved the gannet shot one of best shots ever which I think you will win an award for,Shetland looks so stunning 😍

[@RachelBigsby]

Ah, wow! This has put a huge smile on my face. Thank you so much ☺️ I really hope you explore Shetland one day.

[@TheGavner1]

Fantastic video thanks for sharing Rachel.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you for watching!

[@williammurray6921]

I lived near to the bird site at QUAYS . THERE WAS NO WALKWAY THEN AND IT WAS TOUGH GOING IN THE PEAT BOG. THE SKUAS KEEP DIVE BOMBIMG YOU AS WELL.

[@RachelBigsby]

Oh gosh! I can only imagine. Fortunately I’ve only been dive bomed once, but I lost a pair of shoes to the peat bog!..

[@simeonbennettphotography]

Great video and excellent photos Rachel 👏big fan of your photography and your KZbin channel 👍❤️

[@RachelBigsby]

Thanks so much! 😊 I’m really happy to hear that 🤩

[@Aurora1956-wh1sr]

Amazing nature, brilliant shots and so well presented video! Congratulations and warm greetings from Austria.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch, greetings from the UK! 👋

[@JulianCox-x1k]

Not a location I've visited yet so this was very helpful. You know how highly I rate your photography Rachel. Only matched by your enthusiasm for sea birds. When you are passionate about something, success usually follows

[@RachelBigsby]

I really do think it’s one of the best places on earth, I adore Shetland! I hope you’ll visit one day soon. Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a kind and supportive comment ☺️

[@David-rc8fb]

Very interesting Video, well presented, narrated and educational. Keep well and stay safe 👍🇬🇧

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for your kind comment!

[@israelmacario3853]

as always great pictures. truly awesome birds

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much!

[@sinwong6612]

Brilliant Video Rachel. We had a fantastic workshop and the weather was so on our side too. Thank you.

[@RachelBigsby]

It was wonderful, wasn’t it! Thank you so much for coming, Sin! 😃

[@regatta2k]

Your best video, Ever! Great work, Rachel :)

[@RachelBigsby]

Wow, thank you! 🤩 This makes me happy.

[@relichunter7984]

Great video, the storm petrel at night looked a fantastic experience

[@RachelBigsby]

It was! I had hoped to photograph them silhouetted against the full moon but it would need to be focussed stacked, I think 🤔

[@paulleendertse936]

Great video, Rachel! Thank you for sharing!

[@RachelBigsby]

You are so welcome!

[@selkie72]

Great video and photos! Was lucky enough to see an Osprey over Burrafirth, on our return from Hermaness in May. I live, and have a boat in Lerwick, so I'm a regular visitor to Noss. Several underwater videos of the fish life from around Noss, that I filmed this summer, on my page.

[@RachelBigsby]

Oh wow! That sounds awesome. I'll take a look at your page now :-)

[@xstrange_potret]

Beautiful you and birds

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you!

[@twitcherspictures]

Fantastic video. You are very talented Rachel

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much! That’s really kind of you.

[@andywilson3381]

Great video and amazing pictures Rachel well done 👍

[@RachelBigsby]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Camper_L]

We are from Berlin, Germany and Hermaness is our favourite Location too! We‘ve been there a year ago. Great Video, thanks for it. I just subscribed :)

[@RachelBigsby]

Awesome! Thank you! I’m so happy that you’ve subscribed. Have a great day 😃

[@Galatin]

Beautiful work, thank you!

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you too!

[@maranoblet]

Wow! That black and white image of the lone gannet is stunning! Your images have a really unique feel about them that I love. Gonna have to get saving for one of your workshops they look awesome! Watching the gannets flying alongside the boat looked pretty special.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely comment. I hope you’re able to enjoy a workshop with me one day - even better if you can be on the boat as the gannets fly alongside us! ☺️

[@rolandswales8753]

Thank you for another wonderful video. Love your enthusiasm for the locations and of course the birds. This with your vast knowledge provided us with an insight to your stunning images.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you very much! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the video ☺️

[@DjArthurr62]

very interesting video 😊

[@RachelBigsby]

Glad you think so! Thank you for watching.

[@Pauline-oi6wu]

Another amazing informative video and superb photos my favourite is the Artic Tern.

[@RachelBigsby]

Good choice! I was genuinely so happy with that shot. I had a big smile on my face when I scrolled through the back of my camera and saw it 😃

[@jbairdexp]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable watch Rachel. I'm ashamed to say I have very little knowledge of birds so everything in this video was a learning experience. A beautifully produced video. 🙂

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much! We all start with no knowledge, and I’m genuinely delighted to hear that I helped you learn a little more about seabirds. Thank you! 🙏

[@philipwilson1620]

Just discovered your channel and work - hugely impressed with both and look forward to discovering more and enjoying your videos. Really imaginative and original photos that I love!

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you very much! I’m so happy to read your comment. Fingers crossed you’ll continue to find enjoyment in my videos! 😃

[@darrenspeak1785]

What an amazing seabird location the Shetland isles appears to be. It’s a beautifully produced video Rachel which captures the rugged beauty of the landscape but more importantly the abundance of seabirds which live and breed in such a wonderful location. Watching the Gannets dive in to the sea looks to be an amazing experience, it’s something I’d love to see, though I have seen Gannets diving into the sea off the coast of Whitby of all places, which was nice to see but obviously nothing like you experienced here. I love your travel/documentary style of video presentation, you don’t skimp on time either which I think is nice, some videos deserve 25 minutes of anybody’s time. I did actually think the Fulmar was your favourite seabird, but you mentioned in this video it’s the Gannet, I know the Fulmar is what sparked your interest in seabirds, they are both spectacular seabirds and for different reasons are both special to you.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my video and for leaving such a wonderful comment here! It’s lovely to hear about your experiences near Whitby. You’re right - Fulmars are my favourite but you’ll find that I say all of the seabirds are my favourite. Each one of them is my favourite in their own unique way, for lots of different purposes 😃

[@stephenwilliams2058]

Another fantastic video Rachel, I didn't want it to end. I love all your photos, especially the lone Gannet b/w one. I will hopefully try to come on one of your workshops one day soon. Keep up the great work.

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you so much! ☺️ I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you can join me one day too 📸

[@PaulWest_Videographer]

Thanks to the KZbin recommendations, I discovered your channel today. I really enjoyed your truly stunning 4K video, that looks fantastic on a Philips UHD monitor. I am a new subscriber to your channel, and I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful wildlife work here on KZbin. 🙂

[@RachelBigsby]

Welcome aboard! That is so great to hear. I really appreciate your subscription and time today, and I hope that you continue to enjoy future videos just as much 😃

[@artiedoc]

So fabulous Rachel !! Beautiful work ….❤❤❤ How did you get that 1/20,000 shutter shot with only an iso of 200 🤷‍♂️😳👏👏👏 Love the Gannets diving wonderful video 😍😍😍Best Art

[@RachelBigsby]

Art!! ❤️ thank you so much. I’m really grateful that you found some time to watch, I can’t wait to watch your Svalbard video. Lots of love to you all!

[@artiedoc]

@@RachelBigsby Thanks Rach it will have to wait till we get back from Greenland 😂🤣🤪🤪

[@NikonDave]

Wonderful photos! Adding Shetland to my itinerary in the near future for sure. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@RachelBigsby]

Awesome! Thank you! 🤩

[@PeterLariviere]

Really great video with unbelievably beautiful images. You have given me another stop on a future trip (hopefully 2026) my wife and I hope to take in Scotland. We had considered taking our honeymoon in Scotland in 1991, but decided to stay in Canada and instead went to Newfoundland. I think you would find Newfoundland amazing, especially the Avalon Peninsula. Cape Saint Mary's and Bay Bulls are two locations I would highly recommend.

[@Nick-13]

Absolutely stunning Rachel. I've wanted to visit the Sheltand Islands (and Orkneys) for a very long time - hopefully one day I will make it !

[@RachelBigsby]

I hope so too! Have a great time when you get there 😃

[@joncothranphotography9375]

That's awesome! Is this where you got your award winning shot for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year?

[@RachelBigsby]

Thank you! It certainly is 😃

[@StuartChapman193]

Great video Rachel, your work is so artistic, love it. I will be there next year just wanted to ask would you say a 70-200 and 100-400 be a good choice of lenses, I do have 200=600 but looks like that could be to big.

[@RachelBigsby]

Yes, absolutely. The 70-200 is my favourite lens to use around Hermaness because the landscape is so extraordinary and also worth photographing the wildlife within the environment there. The 100-400 is very important to take as well for flying seabirds, otter, orca etc. Have a wonderful trip!

[@StuartChapman193]

@@RachelBigsby THANK YOU

[@just36]

Wonderful stuff Rachel. Can't wait to welcome you to Canberra Australia in person as our Birdlife Photography Australia 7-8 March 2026 Conference Key Note Speaker!🐦🥰

[@RachelBigsby]

I can’t wait to be there!

[@300ShadesofGreen]

I do love directing the “men” that complain about the weight of the Z9 and Nikon glass to this amazing young lady. She can show them how it is done. 😁

[@Trollberg60north]

You might like some of the Shetland bird names. Solan - Gannet Skarf - Shag Alamootie - Storm Petrel Bonxie - Great Skua Swartbak, Maa & Skorie - Blackback, Seagull, Juvenile Seagull Maalie - Fulmar Londie & Tammie Norie - Puffin Ern - White-Tailed Eagle Teisti - Black Gulliemot Lyra - Manx Shearwater Longvie - Guillemot Smyril - Merlin Katty Ugle - Owl Tirrick - Arctic Tern Erli - Wagtail Nice video and btw, that wind wasn't "brutal", trust me ;) Greetings from a Shetland viking whose first ancestor was Hendrich Hendrichsson in Unst(1450).

[@RachelBigsby]

Thanks so much! 😃 I’m pretty good at the Shetland names for my favourite birds, but Alamootie was a new one for me this summer. I absolutely love it! I’m not sure I knew Lyra either. I’m pleased you shared this and enjoyed the video!

[@WdsWildlife]

Amazing video as ever. and your photos are outstanding would love to join! :) Safe travels Adam (wds_wildlife)

[@RachelBigsby]

Hey Adam! Thank you so much. I hope you can one day 😃

[@Tubilan1]

It is not helpful for the birds to make the locations so public.

[@RachelBigsby]

I really appreciate your genuine concern for the welfare of the birds in this video, but at no point did I disclose a location that isn’t already public knowledge. Each location that I shared in this video is a national nature reserve on a public footpath ✅ Though I am flattered by your assumption that my video could create such interest, I don’t think there is a case for concern here. My mission is to create art and tell stories that build emotional connections with those who may not be aware of seabirds and their plight. With this new found interest and appreciation, my work may encourage positive actions to protect the seabirds from increasing threats such as entanglement in discarded fishing gear, overfishing causing food shortages, plastic pollution, man-made diseases such as avian influenza and climate change, altering migratory patterns and availability of food. The above are the real risk to seabirds, not a few extra pairs of feet on a nature reserve. Thank you for taking the time to watch my video, I hope that you found it enjoyable 😃

[@Tubilan1]

@@RachelBigsby I find your enthusiasm for birds very beautiful, as well as the desire to share it. I’ve been photographing birds for a few years now. In various forums, these locations are being shared more and more. Like a snowball effect, it multiplies, so once quiet places are no longer quiet, and well-known spots become completely overcrowded

[@robertbrown6060]

How far is this about your concerns about disturbance or is it about wanting the place to yourself? I hate to have to tell you this but we are a small , over crowded, island. I’ve seen nothing in this video that in anyway endangers or disturbs the wildlife. The idea that swarms of people will be heading to this very remote location as a result of this video is unlikely to say the least. Bempton Cliffs is always busy and there appears to be no adverse impact as a result.

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

What a fantastic video Rachel with some truly stunning images. Can I just ask, the arctic tern image, did you control the contrast of black and white in camera with exposure compensation and or metering mode. Always wanted to go to the Scottish Isles but after seeing this video Shetland might now be a destination for my 60th in a couple of years! 😀