otters kingfishers and more

[Fisky]

Hello everyone. I've just joined WAB. I live in deepest darkest Devon in the middle of a 40 acre wood, which is in the middle of a 200 acre wood - so pretty remote, no neighbours, no roads. The whole place has been totally neglected for over 50 years, which in my book makes it a little piece of heaven, the wildlife obviously agree as this has been their undisturbed domain for a very long time. I have a tributary of The Taw running through my land and so far have seen : Otters, Dippers, Kingfishers, Sea Trout, Red Deer, Roe Deer, Foxes, badgers and all manner of woodland birds.
I am a complete amateur and have so far only been taking photos on a digital camera. I now want to set up some hides and start taking ''proper'' photos. I've read some of the threads on hides, but wondered if anyone could offer me some advice on putting up a permanent one. I am on my own so it needs to be reasonably easy and it needs to be cheap. I've got plenty of tools and a tiny bit of knowledge, but I am pretty handy (even though I'm a female).
I was going to buy a hide, but having looked at the cost of a good one, thought it probably wouldn't cost a massive amount more to construct a permanent one. Has anyone got any suggestions or designs ?
Thanks all
Fiskess

[The Woodman]

Hi Fisky and welcome to WAB.

Your woodland situation sounds idyllic especially with a Taw trib running through it.

I'm sure you'll get all sorts of advice, there some good experienced hide users on here and photographers, too.

I'll throw a thought into the pot. Occassionaly I use a hide with a difference - self made, cheap and effective. Downside is that it's a permanent job. Once the chosen viewpoint is selected, sink a polybarrel in the ground to the rim, one of those blue 40 gallon with a removable black lid jobs does the trick. When not in use keep the lid on to keep it from flooding. When stood upright and depending on your height, the lower half of your body will be below ground level and using bins or a camera will be a doddle as you can rest your elbows on the ground. The above ground cover or blind can therefore be much smaller - a very simple open fronted structure covered in waterproof material and camouflaged with netting.

Observing from ground level (or closer to it) can give a different perspective and reduce profile.

Good luck with whatever design you go for.

[Fisky]

Hello The Woodman
Thank you for your warm welcome and for your hide ideas - very innovative !
I have always been a keen wildlife voyeur, but have not had the opportunity in the past to set myself up to do it seriously. I've spent many hours hiding in the undergrowth getting cold and cramped and sometimes extremely wet, watching birds and badgers, deer and whatever else would come along.
Now I live in this amazing place I would like to build something that would be comfortable enough to spend all day and even all night in.
I've seen the Otter a few times now and regularly see the kingfishers and Dippers, so I've got a spot in mind for a permanent hide. Thought I would try to knock something up in timber and then cover it in some sort of netting. Not sure what I should construct the windows out of - maybe some sort of shuttering with netting to look through ??
I'm going to be asking a million questions of all you seasoned wildlife watchers, especially about cameras and infrared stuff. My bookshelves already groan under the weight of all the '' how to identify.........'' books that I've collected over the years, but there's noting quite like having other people to ask questions of.
Look forward to chatting with many of you in the future
Fiskess

[The Woodman]

There's a co-incidence - I've just come in from taking the dogs out and have disturbed a sleeping otter curled up on the river bank under overhanging phragmites and seen a kingfisher!

If you are getting into infrared there's no need to spend a fortune, get some IR plastic sheet from ebay. I've recently bought some from a firm that makes IR security lights called Derwent. I replace torch and other light source lenses and make my own. Just beware that certain LED's wavelengths are not compatible with some IR filters. These are used with a Sony Handycam HC19 with nightvision switched on.

[Fisky]

I have a lot to learn and have a feeling that the members of WAB are going to be great sources of information.
Love the idea of IR sheeting and will most definitely get some. Please keep throwing tips at me, the more the better.
Fiskess

[wizzo]

Hiya Fisky and a massive WAB welcome to the forum. Your home sounds lovely. You'll get bags of advice on here mate...just hold tight....Wizzo

[turkeyneck]

Hi Fisky and welcome to WAB.

I've got one of these, (I bought it as a archery shelter when not on the shooting line).

Pop Up Bivvy/Shelter/Tent | eBay

The one I purchased had scrim windows back and front and a floor, but the floor I cut out anyway as it was a pain. It's pretty waterproof but wouldn't want to stay out for hours on end in down pour. Very portable but this probably isn't much of a requirement for you. Negatives are, It's not too high, can't stand upright in it but is Ok when siting in a deckchair. I haven't tried a tripod it it either as I did my shots from this using a monopod as I needed the quick response times for Blue Tits in flight. All in all, probably useless for you but, it worked for me.

Any way, lovely place you're in and a big welcome to WAB from me too

best Wishes

Lee

[Deb London]

Hi Fisky,

Welcome from me too

Deb

[Fisky]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for taking the time to welcome me to WAB. I am really looking forward to being part of your community and hopefully being able to contribute something.
I am now thinking that I may put up a cheapy garden shed down by the stream, paint it green and throw some cam netting over it. I'm told I will need to cover the windows in scrim (?) netting and put something like old carpet on the floor to sound proof it. All suggestions welcome !!!!!
There is a spot by the water where I wander down to first thing in the mornings with my cup of tea - I've got an old garden seat there and even with my dogs lolling around (and sometimes my cat as well), I regularly see the kingfishers and otters. I think this would be a good place for a hide.
I would quite like to put a little woodburner in it to keep me warm if I stay in it overnight, can anyone tell me if the smell of smoke would deter the wildlife Thanks
Fiskess

[treecreeper]

A belated wecome from me Fisky