RICHARD BIRCHETT

Welcome! I’m Richard Birchett, a Professional Wildlife & Conservation Photographer from the UK.
With 22 years as a Survival Specialist in the UK Military, I bring unique fieldcraft and tracking skills to wildlife photography. I’ve worked with BBC Wildlife Magazine, BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, The Wildlife Trusts & more. I’m an ambassador for Nature First, Tragopan, f-stop, and Cotton Carrier, and I'm a lead photography guide for Eco Terra Adventures.

This channel shares ethical wildlife photography, bushcraft-inspired fieldcraft, behind-the-scenes adventures, gear reviews, tutorials, and journeys into the wild.

Subscribe and explore nature’s rawest, most beautiful places with me.

📧 For collaborations: richardbirchettphotography@gmail.com



RICHARD BIRCHETT

For those who may be interested, I’ve recently started a second channel alongside my main wildlife photography channel.

This new channel will focus on all things gardening, home projects, and creating a wildlife-friendly space. I’ll be sharing hints and tips on planting trees, managing an acidic woodland garden, and encouraging more wildlife into the garden through projects such as bird boxes, bug hotels, habitat piles, wildlife ponds, trail cameras, and much more.

There will also be plenty of home improvement content including building rose arches, fences, walls, painting, remodeling, and documenting our future extension plans as they happen. We’ll also be setting up more wildlife cameras throughout the property to capture the amazing animals that visit us.

This will very much be a family adventure, so expect appearances from my wife, son, our dogs, and perhaps even some future livestock too!

If any of that sounds like something you’d enjoy, I’d really appreciate your support by subscribing to the channel, liking, sharing, and commenting on the videos. It genuinely helps the channel grow and keeps us motivated to create more content.

Thank you all for the continued support!

Rich :-)

youtube.com/@GweekHouseCornwall

3 days ago | [YT] | 18

RICHARD BIRCHETT

New Video Out Now...

Winter can be one of the most rewarding times of year to photograph birds — if you know where to look.

In this video, I head out on my local patch here in Ottawa, Canada to show you how to find birds to photograph in winter, even when the conditions are cold and challenging. Using the Canon 1DX Mark III, I share my approach to searching for winter wildlife, reading the landscape, and making the most of what the season has to offer.

So bundle up and join me out in the winter weather as I explore my local area, look for bird activity, and enjoy the process of winter bird photography.

Cheers

Rich


#WinterWildlife #owlphotography #wildlifephotography #nature #naturelovers #canonphotography #owlphotography #snowphotography

4 months ago | [YT] | 6

RICHARD BIRCHETT

Hi to you all,

As we head into 2026, I’ve shared some honest thoughts on the pressures of social media in wildlife photography, the rise of baited hides and AI, and why staying true to your own ethics matters more than ever.

This isn’t about judging others, it’s about looking closer, asking questions, and choosing the path that feels right for you and the wildlife we photograph. If you’re feeling pressured or discouraged, I hope this gives you some perspective and encouragement. 📷🌿

Happy New Year to you all.

Rich 😀🙏👍❤️📷

richardbirchett.co.uk/journal-burke/ethics-pressur…

#ethicalwildlifephotography #ethicalphotography #wildlife #nature #naturelovers #wildlifeblogs

4 months ago | [YT] | 57

RICHARD BIRCHETT

Hi to you all,

I’ve just released a new blog out now on my website with tips and advice on photographing wildlife in the snow! From Gear, exposure, clothing & more…

To check it out ⬇️

Cheers Rich 📷👍

richardbirchett.co.uk/journal-burke/chasing-winter…

#survivalskills #photographytips #wildlifephotography #wintersurvival #photographyblog

4 months ago | [YT] | 64

RICHARD BIRCHETT

Thank You – and here’s to 2026!

I want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to every single one of my subscribers and followers for your incredible support throughout 2025.
This year has taken me on some unforgettable journeys north into Quebec, east to the Maritimes and across to the West Coast of Canada, south into South America, and back to the UK. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it.

Plans for 2026 are already well underway, with many more photo tours coming up in collaboration with Eco Terra Adventures.
On top of that, in just six months time I’ll be making my permanent return to the UK, heading home to Cornwall. From there I’ll be continuing my workshops, YouTube videos, and rolling out some really exciting plans for my woodland and land, foundations are already being laid.

Stay tuned, because there’s plenty more to come.

Our three-year journey of moving to Canada hasn’t always been easy. Adjusting to life in a new country has brought its fair share of challenges, but the support I’ve received while here has been absolutely amazing.

While I know some of my European followers especially from the UK have dropped off since my move, I truly hope that those who supported my journey back then will return when I start again at home in Cornwall. I also hope that the vast majority of my followers from Canada and the USA will continue to support me as this next chapter begins.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every one of you. Your support, watching, commenting, liking, and sharing my content means more than I can ever put into words. None of this would be possible without you.

From my family and I, we hope you all have an amazing Christmas and New Year, and I can’t wait to see you all again in 2026 — it’s going to be an awesome year.

Thank you

Rich 🙏

5 months ago | [YT] | 80

RICHARD BIRCHETT

Hi everyone,

It’s always a quieter time of year on YouTube, but if you haven’t had a chance yet, I’ve shared four videos from the stunning west coast of Canada, filmed in Jasper National Park. Head over to my main channel page to catch up and experience the incredible wildlife this amazing part of Canada has to offer.

From the humble raven to the beautiful American dipper, along with striking moose, elk, and much more, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Cheers,

Rich

5 months ago | [YT] | 45

RICHARD BIRCHETT

New blog just dropped!

I’ve released my real-world, in-the-field review of the Cotton Carrier G3 Harness with BINO attachment—a piece of kit that’s earned its place on countless adventures.
When you spend most of the year trekking through jungles, coastlines, mountains, and forests with a camera in hand, you quickly learn what truly holds up.

After guiding photography tours in the jungles of South America, shooting along the Cornish Coast, tackling Scotland’s rugged highlands, and traveling 5,000 km from Ottawa to Vancouver Island, only a handful of tools have proven themselves indispensable… and this harness is one of them.

Why not give the review a read? And if you decide to take the plunge and grab one of these awesome bits of gear, you can get 10% OFF using my unique link and discount code below.

richardbirchett.co.uk/journal-burke/a-field-tested…

Code: 'RICHARDBIRCHETT'

North America Link - www.cottoncarrier.com/?ref=dlpohlmw

Europe Link - cottoncarrier.eu/?ref=gdkneqys

Happy adventuring!

Rich :-)

5 months ago | [YT] | 66

RICHARD BIRCHETT

NEW Video OUT NOW... 😀📷

Hi to you all,

Join me on an unforgettable 5000 km journey across Canada as I put the Canon RF 100–300mm f/2.8 L IS through a real-world field tests.

From the sweeping open prairies of the West to mirror-calm lakes, rugged mountain ranges, and remote forest valleys, I set out to answer the big question: Is this the game-changing wildlife lens we’ve all been waiting for—and possibly the only one you’ll ever need?


I've also just release a short video on the NEW Firmware update by Canon for the R3 where I show you how to update and discuss is this one worth it!

Cheers & have a great Sunday.

Rich :-)

#wildlifephotography #canonphotography #canonrf100300 #nature

5 months ago | [YT] | 9

RICHARD BIRCHETT

Hi to you all.

I’ve just published a new blog post reflecting on how wildlife photography has changed — from the explosion of interest after COVID to the shifting ethics, competitiveness, and personal experiences I’ve faced over four decades behind the lens. It’s honest, heartfelt, and something I felt needed to be said.

If you care about wildlife, ethics, community, or the true spirit of this craft, I’d really appreciate you giving it a read. Your support means more than you know.

👉 Read the full blog below: 🔽😃

Thank you to everyone who continues to stand by me and keep the love of nature at the heart of photography. 🌿📸

richardbirchett.co.uk/journal-burke/yygp3ef6ciqkjs…

#naturephotography #natureblog #ethicalwildlifephotography #wildlifephotography

5 months ago | [YT] | 41

RICHARD BIRCHETT

For those that missed my recent upload, you can watch it via the link below.

Cheers Rich..

Join me where I spend two days deep in the Canadian wilderness capturing life as a wildlife photographer. From sunrise hikes with my Canon gear to tracking owls, coyotes, deer and other raptors, it was all about patience, skill, and reading nature’s clues, feathers, tracks, and more.

In this behind-the-lens adventure, I share tips for finding wildlife (especially owls!) and show what a real field day looks like. Whether you love photography or just the outdoors, I hope it inspires you to get outside and connect with the wild. 🌲📸🦉


#wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturevideos #wildlifevideos

6 months ago | [YT] | 9