garden bird hide

[fulhamphil]

Hi everyone, i'm looking to set up a hide in my garden so i can take some photos of the visiting birds. Can anyone give me some advice of what and where to get. I don't want to spend anymore than £150, many thanks!

[SteveHL]

Hi
I have an Ameristep Doghouse Blind from Cabelas Cabela's -- Big Game & Archery Blinds
It pops up on taking it out of the bag and is high enough inside so that your head is not touching the top. The inside is a black material making it hard to see into from the outside. Mine was mail ordered by surface mail and arrived in about twenty days. There are instructions sewn into the carry bag on how to fold it up ( its a bit like a deck chair until you get used to it!).
Hope this helps
regds
SteveHL

[JeffH]

I'd recommend a dome hide from Kevin Keatley at Wildlife Watching Supplies -
Wildlife Watching Supplies - Wildlife photography, Nature photography, Photo blinds -though you'll have to up your budget by another £48!

But you'll be getting a purpose designed portable hide suitable for carrying around (on those Kingfisher forays ) and a product that's generally regarded as one of the best on the market and used by many wildlife pros - check out the testimonials on his website.

Jeff

[fulhamphil]

Hi steve, thanks for taking time, how much did it cost you with the postage, and did you have to pay any custom charges etc?

[fulhamphil]

Hello again Jeff thanks for the info, certainly looks like a quality product and i will give it some thought.

[nightshade]

Go to a camping or towing website and buy the largest Toilet/Shower tent(green of course some even have a shelf in them!,then you can sit or stand in them very comfortable
Cut holes or slits with a soldering iron or just use the door

[BillyPilgrim]

I don't have one of these but it is very cheap and if I were only using it in the garden I'd be very tempted!

Wilderness Camouflage Pop Up Hunting Tent from Ultimate Addons.

[Kymba]

Another cheap alternative I have read about compared to a ready made Hide is to buy a cheap gazeebo with side panels and camouflague it.. left in Garden for while the birds soon become use to it and ignore it..

[ron1863]

This is an excellent link for hides, camouflage material etc and it's not expensive:

https://vault1.secured-url.com/cmsSe...p?CategoryID=1

[Seajay]

If it's permanently for the garden then why not build a hide from wood? You can use scavenged and recycled stuff then use roofing felt and latts to make it snug and waterproof. Have flaps opening at different heights, a feeding station in front and your away! Only rudimentary skills are needed. 6 ft by 4 ft is quite adequate but make it so you can stand up full height for the top flaps, sit down for the middle and lay down for ground shots. If your going to be in there for hours (and it's very addictive) then be comfortable.
The Andy Rouse type hides are excellent when on the move though as someone mentioned you'd need a couple of hundred quid. I'm most interested in the suggestion for a loo tent. If it's cheap you could afford to take the chance and leave it in situ for a couple of weeks in the field whereas a £200 one is a different kettle of fish and I'm loath to leave that overnight.
Also don't forget the hides at your local nature reserve! They are free and you meet like minded and interesting people.