RSPB Middleton lakes
Is building a 50 grand hide wise,with the area's history of vandalism?
Firstly I am not an employee of the RSPB, I have birdwatched in this particular area sine 2000, I liked this spot because it was away from the crowds, you can walk miles and the chance of a rare bird as well as a general wetland bird variety.
Since the RSPB take over I give bird records and other Fauna & Fauna records to the RSPB, besides giving details to the relevant county recorders.
I never had a hide or needed a bench, unlike Geoff, however since the RSPB take over, the RSPB have made the area more user friendly. I have seen many retired people here who appreciate the benches and would appreciate the hide if it rains.
Being an open RSPB Reserve people would expect a hide. Volunteers say the RSPB have the money for a hide, but the hide would not go up until September or October, at the same time a bridge is planned over the river to the Eastern pools built by Hanson's, these pools have attracted 20 or so teeenagers lighting fires, leaving rubbish, swimming in the lakes (also naked) I wondered way Geoff was spending more time on this side of the reserve.
No doubt when the bridge is in and the hide is up and birders have gone home, these teenagers will find there way to the hide.
The RSPB are fully aware of these details and still willing to put a hide up, I don't know how much the hide will cost I did here £20, 000 a while back.
Yes, comparing to hides at Kingsbury Water park there will be spate's of vandalsim and arson.
However the RSPB want to encourage people to the area and see their work and hopefully some will donate to their good cause.
Regards, John