Raised Hides

[Rhodes Family]

Hi everyone.
I am busy think up a new photography project, and over the past few days, the robin in my garden has started to sing again. Trouble is he (I say he, it could well be a female!) is about 5 metres up a cedar tree!!
I was wondering if anyone has much experience in using scaffolding and placing the hide on top of it?

A few questions I have to ask:

• Which companies, that hire scaffolding, are the best to use...in other words, are there any trade leaders for photography use that all the pros no about use?!

• Which type of scaffolding to you use? I tried looking this up for myself and was bewildered by the amount of results there are suiting different work purposes!


Cheers,
Alex.

[Dorts]

Hi Alex, welcome to WAB.
If you are going to erect scaffolding to 5m. you could probably use 'self-build', available from all good tool-hire places. They will show you how to erect it and advise on stabalization if necessary.
Above that height you would need profesionally built scaffold.

Many, many years ago I was involved in a natural history film where scaffold was built to the top of an 100ft. oak tree in order to look down into some Rooks nests, fixed to the top was an old bus-shelter we used as a hide. When the wind blew I don't mind admitting it was scary stuff, but the scaffold, professionaly built, stood up to the task. Hopefully yours will do the same.

The main thing is 'be-safe'.
Best of luck with your project.
Dorts.

[Rhodes Family]

Thanks Dorts,

I'll get some advise from my local Tool-Station in town...

When the wind blew I don't mind admitting it was scary stuff, but the scaffold, professionaly built, stood up to the task.

...and yes, i have read many accounts of photographers saying the same!

Thanks again, Alex

[JeffH]

Welcome to WAB Alex,

My only experience of self-built raised hides was to make a mini-tower hide for use in a project with Barn Owls. However, the platform was only about 5 feet above ground and I used a couple of builders trestles staked to the ground - see here for more details and a couple of photos of the hide -
Barn Owl over oilseed rape field

As you're aiming for a height of 5 metres I'd suggest a scaffold tower. These are available for hire at places like HSS Hire Centres but are quite expensive at upwards of £100pw Alternatively, a tower with a platform height of 4 metres can be purchased outright for about £250 - £300

As Dorts has already said, the priority must be for a safe structure and, although I personally wouldn't even consider such an outlay to get a shot of a singing Robin, I wish you well with your project

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)