Your favourite hide.

[Wild-Woman]

Just out of curiosity, have you got a favourite bird hide? Where is it and why?

After visiting Slimbridge, I really was taken with Kingfisher hide. 3 different habitats -wood, water with reedbed and field. Like the central bit with the greenery too. Different chair heights, and room to move around without disrupting others.

[Deb London]

I don't know whether it's my favourite one, but I was really impressed with the 3 storey one at the London Wetland Centre. Fantastic views and plenty of space to move.

[faz]

on the river exe just by topsham in exeter right by the estuary saw my first black taild godwit and a host of water fowl/waders

[Tormentil]

Mines the pub just down the road. I've spent many a happy hour in it, hiding from HiD's.

[artdemole]

Mine would be at Chew Valley Lake.Not far from picnic site no.2.Parking is free now until next year.The Bernard King site off the Grebe Trail is open to the public.Now having a spotting scope from my wife for birthday in December,I intend to make full use of it.

[earthdragon64]

The Gordonhall hide at Insh Marshes RSPB reserve near Kingussie is probably my favourite, although it does need upgrading a bit, some of the windows stick and it can be a bit parky in the winter. It was probably one of the first hides I spent time in, and I've seen a lot of bird species from it, as well as an Otter.

It's one of those hides that often when you first go in and look round, it looks like there is nothing about, then once you settle down and get the bins out, there is actually loads around.

It was supposed to be being upgraded at the same time that the Information Centre was rebuilt last year, but I don't think there was enough money. The new Info centre is on two levels, both of which can be reached by wheelchair from the carpark, the top level is open and has fantastic views across the marsh. The lower level is enclosed with optical quality fixed windows and a few moveable bench seats and is a lot warmer than the old one. I still feel that the Gordonhall Hide offers views of a wider range of species though.

Regards, Audrey.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Mines the pub just down the road. I've spent many a happy hour in it, hiding from HiD's.

Ha ha ha

Mine is the pub too..the one along the canal lots of wildlife through the window while enjoying a meal and glass of wine..
Bliss..

[david156]

I like so many for so many different species. The island mere hide at Minsmere is one of my favourites because of the great variety you can get both on the mere and in the shallows and the reed beds.

Does anyone remember the hide at Cley that you got to from the east bank. The one where the reeds grew through the floorboards! Also wasn't the hide at Elmley marshes, overlooking the swale, a converted shed. At six foot two I found both of these a bit awkward to get into!

Cheers David

[Hoppingmad]

The one at WWT Welney. Warm, comfortable (proper chairs and not hard old benches). Fantastic birds and thousands of them!

[NicolaB]

The Michael Powell hide at WWT Llanelli at the moment Also the Gateway hide at Gigrin Farm, definitely the place to be to get swooping kite action shots!!