Woodland Bird Workshops
Woodland Bird Workshops.
Nr. Hawick, Scottish Borders
The Hide
The hide seats four people, plates are fitted to take tripod heads or bean-bags are available is required. Tripods can be used if preferred it is also heated and has an internet connection if required and toilet facilities are available.
The birds are 12 – 16 feet from the camera on multiple setups including a reflection pool
The birds visiting are, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, Eurasian jay, treecreeper, lesser redpoll, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, long-tailed tit (in winter), dunnock, goldfinch, Robin, pheasant, collared dove, occasionally Sparrowhawk, occasionally spotted flycatcher, blackbird, tree sparrow, the house sparrow. brambling. grey wagtail
We will be looking at exposure and exposure compensation, the use of shutter speed and ISO setting in relation to shutter speeds and aperture settings along with average white balance setting and the use of Kelvin
The birds are very close and exceptionally good images can be expected with great backgrounds.
Toilet facilities available
Testimonials
Hi Ron,
An email to let you know how very much I enjoyed yesterday morning at Tower Cottage. I have never been in such a luxury hide before, with heating and a supply of coffee and biscuits, and your most excellent company as mine host! Very pleased with some of my nuthatch shots — it is over seven years since my “early period” with nuthatches in Fairmilehead and I am pleased to report, albeit somewhat immodestly, that I can see a great improvement in the results.
I greatly appreciated your quiet understated educational approach, in relation for instance to the business of moving the single focus point in relation to the size and posture of the bird, and being sure of how to do it quickly. Seems so simple and obvious with hindsight, but…………………. Kelvin too is a new addition to my armamentarium, so after today I shall feel a little less like “just a birder with a camera”.
Peter Thompson…………….Musselburgh
“Many thanks for a great morning. I’ll certainly be back this spring”
Jim Black….. Paisley
“Just wanted to thank you and Lynn for the most lovely day yesterday. It was a real delight to be welcomed to your home and a day I will treasure. When we walked to the hide I just couldn’t believe the cacophony of bird song I could hear in the trees. I knew then I was in for a real treat!
Not only did I learn so much and got some great tips and advice it was just wonderful to hear about your travels and experiences and see some of your amazing pictures”
Philly Bell ….. Alnwick
“Ron – Thanks again for the two wonderful mornings at you hide, the group were delighted with the pictures and all keen to repeat the experience, hopefully in February”
Carole Maclaren. North Berwick Photographic Society
“Just a wee thank you for running the workshop today – all the “lads” really enjoyed the visit and we certainly plan a return trip next year. I also got one of the shots I’ve always wanted, goldfinch on the teasel, with at least at a couple of hundred more to process!
“Ron – Thanks for a great time on the workshop just had a look at the Siskin and goldys really happy best I’ve taken yet. The light was spot on. Please keep me informed of anything else coming up and still might do that one again to hit on with the Redpolls.”
Neil Cairns – Morpeth
“Ron – This is a long overdue thank you message for our visit to your woodland hide. Joan and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with you. I don’t know about Joan’s pics but I am very pleased with mine. I’m getting used to my new camera and getting good results. Think I might go for a longer lens……..had a rubbish X2 converter which I got rid of.
Thanks again for your hospitality and thanks to your birdies for performing for us! I may come back sometime.”
Louise Wallace – Selkirk
The Set Up
Please take a look at this video made by my old friend Dean Bricknell showing the hide and outside set up.
There are many stations the birds attend in the area and many different opportunities for good photography during your visit. If the hide is full there is still room for all to use two bodies if required
Lenses required
Zoom lenses are a good idea, 100 – 400, 150 – 600mm are a good size, Prime lenses 300mm, 400mm, 500mm. The birds are large in the frame with 500mm & 600mm but you get intimate portraits with these larger lenses.
Bridge cameras can be really good at this workshop, a great opportunity to get a video of the birds
Toilet facilities are available
The cost
1 person £60. 2 people £50 per person, 3 people £35 and 4 people £25 per person
Woodland Bird workshop interest form
