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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

High end hide luxury (2 Viewers)

Hope to start building the hides shortly and already even the basic hides will take on most of the points mentioned ..still looking for some high end wants on the wish list for the 2 executive hides ... and do we like sharing hides...
 
It's very easy to get carried away with this subject .. free biscuits, dancing girls, heated seats etc etc but being sensible some mostly useful previous threads on the subject -

http://www.birdforum.net/search.php?searchid=19204973&pp=25

A couple more popular than others, and some getting a bit carried away of course.



Complete functionality of hide openings as mentioned a very important feature - seems to be so much easier to get this wrong than right. Idea is to have minimal water ingress, excellent viewing etc. Flexible seating also a good idea - allow scopes to be set up.

One problem intrinsic with hides is that you become slightly divorced from the outside - if a bird flies over you have no chance! Not sure what the (sensible) solution to that is.

Actual hide design - have hides in the UK been rated ever? Best design compared to cost.
 
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Hi Steve .. we're discussing public and high end hides... I have 20 acres on breydon water and the build starts soon .... just want to get them right first time ..
 
One problem intrinsic with hides is that you become slightly divorced from the outside - if a bird flies over you have no chance! Not sure what the (sensible) solution to that is.
Sun roof.

Seriously, I remember twitching the Zitting Fan-tailed Cisticola Warbler at Sandwich Bay, and being very impressed with a hide there made from a shipping container. Looked pretty vandal-proof, so doubtless long since burnt out. Heated seats would be nice, if done properly then they should just warm backsides, not the air ;)

For sea-watching, in the best possible conditions a conventional hide is not much help, because the rain should be driving straight in. Some sort of large open fronted barn like structure where you could sit well back from the weather might be better.
 
Sun roof.

Seriously, I remember twitching the Zitting Fan-tailed Cisticola Warbler at Sandwich Bay, and being very impressed with a hide there made from a shipping container. Looked pretty vandal-proof, so doubtless long since burnt out. Heated seats would be nice, if done properly then they should just warm backsides, not the air ;)

For sea-watching, in the best possible conditions a conventional hide is not much help, because the rain should be driving straight in. Some sort of large open fronted barn like structure where you could sit well back from the weather might be better.

A concrete bunker capable of mounting at least a 12" naval gun with a decent amount of traverse would be ideal.

John
 
The hide on the Eden Estuary (at Guardbridge?) has heating and possiby even carpet from memory

The Eden Estuary hide at Guardbridge definitely has heating but no carpets. Does have electric power points and double glazing, as well as the main luxury - a proper toilet with sink. There is also a kitchen but think only the Ranger and maybe 1 or 2 others have keys for it these days. Used to be guaranteed the offer of a cup of tea and a biscuit when Eck, the unofficial warden, was still around (sadly he dies a couple of years ago). The windows are 6 (4 front and 2 sides) large tilt-able units, though 1 is awaiting replacement (and another still gets used despite not being meant to be opened). The chairs are a mix of wheeled office types and folding types with a thin cushion. There's also a small selection of reference books and a clock (which ticks annoyingly). The door is operated by a keypad for which a code is required (and can also be locked, as it is out of hours, to keep it from more illicit usage).

I've attached an old pic with George Evans, Eck Watt and Tommy Ross (the first two sadly no longer with us) from 2005. The hide itself has changed little in that time.
 

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Large roof overhang over the windows (but not just over the windows). This keeps rain and wind away.

If you really need (plastic) glassed windows, then pick a design that these windows can be opened to above and outside, but it is also easy for anybody to reach out and clean the thing. Some hides have horror windows that gets in the place, fall down and snap fingers etc.

I am more used to hides getting too hot in midsummer. Then make sure that windows can be opened on two opposite sides to let the breeze in, and the hide is high so hot air accumulates above.

BTW, a nice gadget could be look-into bird boxes on the walls. I even know of a hide which is used as a roost by a Barn Owl. It might even roost when people use the hide, because it can squeeze into an amazingly narrow dark space between beams on the roof, where it would be invisible unless you know where to look.

+ like for the toilet.
 
Back to the old thread. Experience with one very poorly designed hide: be careful with using metal poles and beams as support. The floor tends to vibrate from people's footsteps which spoils scoping.
 
I went to a location,' where birds were the main attraction but loads of kids running up and down and junmping on the hides' floorboards: they loved it. But the bird watchers didn't. Solid floors? And shelving?
 
The sea-watching hide at Europa Point on Gibraltar is ideal, but you do have to apply to GONHS for permission and to obtain the keys!
MJB
 
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