Didcot birdwatcher and photographer Daniel Baker on how he fell for the pastime

Daddy there are Hungries in the garden,” came the call. Hungries? As I looked out of the bedroom window I chuckled. They where starlings. My daughter had thought I had said they were ‘starving’. Now I can’t see a starling without thinking they are ‘Hungries!’

Still, I was proud that my five-year-old had not only spotted a bird type but had excitedly came running up to tell me. 


I became an avid fan of bird photograph after taking part in last year’s RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch and took it to the next level. 


I’ve always liked photography; I studied it at college alongside my art course. I also love to be outdoors and appreciate nature. I guess it stems from the days when I was a landscape gardener and being outside all the time you would hear and see lots of different birds. 


Last year I heard about the RSBP Big Garden Birdwatch and instantly was interested to take part. I was on a big plastering job last year and got talking to a colleague as I had just recently got into twitching.


He was a massive bird enthusiast for most of his life and very kindly bought in and gave me a great British bird book. From that moment on I was able to put names to the birds that I would see, it is still quite tricky to name them all but that’s the fun of it. 


We have three children – our eldest daughter has just turned 10, and I have a seven year old boy and a five year-old daughter.


Last year we went shopping and bought a cheap bird hanger and some feeders to hang on it and it didn’t take too long before there was activity.
I joined British Bird Lovers and the RSPB on social media and then started to see tips on feeding. Then I saw a link on bird baths.


Initially I didn’t think of having a bird bath, but then read what an impact they had so went out straight away to get one. I placed it in the garden, filled it up and read tips on keeping it clean and, in winter, ice-free so they have somewhere to drink and clean themselves. 


Our children love watching the birds with me and are interested in all the all the different types. They always call me when I’m in the other room, especially if the goldfinches or long-tail tits come into the garden as they visit on and off. 


As a birthday present a few years ago, my wife bought me a camera as she knew I liked photography and I was keen to get back into it.
The only problem was that I couldn’t see them in detail, so I thought I would go and buy some binoculars.


I couldn’t find any in the shop but I did find a fairly decent telephoto lens for about the same price. So, excuse the awful pun, but I decided I could shoot two birds with one stone, and could use the lens as binoculars and take photos of all the lovely birds that visit my garden.


It is like having two hobbies in one and I am hoping to get a much better and more powerful camera soon to hopefully get even more photos. I love getting the children involved, which doesn’t take much persuasion.
My little lad is into bugs and creepy crawlies and loves watching Sir David Attenborough nature programs, as I did when I was his age. I have begun to post the photos of the birds on my facebook page and lots of friends, some whom I hadn’t spoken to in years, have started to comment.


Not only does it fill me with joy, but I want to share them with even more people. A friend of mine, who also loves the outdoors, also told me to send them into the team at The Oxford Times – so here I am today!

Daniel Baker, 37, of Peace Place, Didcot is a plasterer and builder as well as an accomplished birdwatcher and photographer