Small “Eagle Bay” Hide №1
The hide is 0,440 km away from the guest-house by foot/bicycle. After reaching the bridge 180 m, there are 260 meter walk. The water level in the pond can be up to 40 cm, so in spring we provide low angle view for our guests. On the last 50 meters it is important to be very quiet not to scare the resting birds away. The hide inside is clean, it has 4 chairs to sit down. A shelf is available for putting the equipment away when not in use and our birding diary to fill in what was seen/ photographed in the past visits by our guests and guide. The hide is made of two separate parts, the base is to reach the lowest angle possible, according to the level of the water. The most practical way to photograph is from tripod head that you can mount on the window sill or on beanbag, as the tripod is taking too much space.In front of the hide there is a bay with large water surface and Small Island with bushes that provides interesting backgrounds. In order to attract more birds we often put fish on the ground. Dress code is dark as the birds can easily notice any glosses. The sun rises behind the hide (on the right) and sets in front the hide (on the left side). The hide is suitable for overnight sleeping, but only in summer period.
Technical data:
Year of building: September 2015
Number of photographed birds from the hide:30
Number of observed birds from the hide: 55
Floor space: 300x250 cm
Height: 70 - 110 cm according to the water level
Material: wood
Orientation of hide: 1 way, according to North 70°
Angle of sight: 170°
Photography angle: 90°through the glass or 160°
Photography surface via: one-way glass, losing 1 1/3 aperture or for lower angle embrasure with no light loss.
Size of glass: 2x80 cm
Inside temperature: 10-30°C
Clothing: all dark
Room Availability: 2-4persons
Photo Equipment:
Best results with 300 f2.8 (optional: 70-200mm to 600mm) (APS-C)
400 f2.8 or 500 f4 (optional: 70-200mm to 800mm) (FF)
Checklist (Since September 2015):
- Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) *#
- Bewick's Swan (Cygnus bewickii)*
- Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)*
- White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) *#
- Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) *
- Graylag Goose (Anser anser) *#
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) *#
- Gadwall (Anas strepera) *
- Pintail (Anas acuta) *#
- Wigeon (Anas penelope) *#
- Teal (Anas crecca) *#
- Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) *
- Goosander (Mergus merganser) *#
- Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) *
- Great White Egret (Casmeroodius albus) *
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) *#
- White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) *# (2-11 birds)
- Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) *#
- Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) *
- Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) *#
- Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) *
- Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) *
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) *
- Common Crane (Grus grus) *
- Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) *#
- Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) *#
- Dunlin (Calidris alpina) *
- Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoelucos) *#
- Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) *#
- Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) *#
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) *#
- Common Gull (Larus canus) *#
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) *#
- Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) *#
- Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) *#
- Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) *#
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) *
- Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) *
- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) *#
- Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) *
- Robin (Eruthacus rubecula) *
- Blackbird (Turdus merula) *
- Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) *
- Great Tit (Parus major) *
- Magpie (Pica pica) *#
- Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) *#
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) *#
- Rook (Corvus frugilegus) *#
- Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)*#
- Raven (Corvus corax) *#
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) *
- Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) *
- Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) *
- Siskin (Spinus spinus) *
- Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) *
Mammals:
- Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) *#
- Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) * #
- Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) * nocturnal
- Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) *
- Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) * # nocturnal
* Checklist seen
# Checklist photographed
Large “Eagle Ditch” Hide №2
It is built next to a ditch, we use to feed the birds of prey to get as lowest angle of view. To avoid disturbing the birds, the distance from the hotel is 3 km. In the hide there will bemobile bio-toilet. To be able to keep warm, the hide (winter and early spring) will be equipped with a gas heater, which uses air from outside and has a chimney for releasing flue-gas.
The birds are mostly fed with fish, which can be put out at any chosen distance during the winter and on the ditch entire season. About 70-75 meter far from the hide there is a small grassy ditch for the purpose of hiding the fish we dig a whole, which is to have a homogeneous foreground and background.The activity of the eagles is unpredictable, but as we have two hides, this was thought to be for evening photo sessions. We put also perches in front of the hide so you can get some close up shots of the birds. Once, we can photograph them all day long depending on weather or the art skills of our clients. The eagles are constantly around the area, they often sit at one place for hours, 100-200 meters away from the hide, before they finally come to feed, or fly away. As soon as the first bird arrives, the others will join in soon in numbers from 25 birds in winter and 3-9 in late summer. After sunrise and as long as there is backlight, it is necessary to use an additional curtain behind the one-way glass. The eagles have an extremely good eyesight, therefore we have to be very careful and avoid sudden movements with lenses as they easily can scare the birds. The curtain can be removed in the afternoon, but still any light object (eg. white lens, uncovered arm, hand or face, mobile-phone,watch, glass or tissue-paper)need to be kept at least 80 cm away from the glass. Keeping the above mentioned rules is essential for successful day in the hide, otherwise the eagles easily become mistrustful towards the hide. When it is not frosty, the place is often visited by a number of Caspian, Herring and Common Gulls to feed. Also Hooded Crow, Magpie, and Common Raven are frequent visitors of the feeding site. This is our only hide, where we can’t guarantee a successful photography session even when weather is predictable, the occurrence of the birds is unpredictable. The hide was built in September 2015 and is yet to be made lots of improvements and observations, but winter will give us more feedback about the behavior of the birds and we will update the checklist frequently with data about the numbers of eagles here.
Technical data of hide:
Year of building: September 2015
Number of photographed birds from the hide: 15
Number of observed birds from the hide: 38
Floor space: 500x250 cm
Height: 0 -70 cm direct view, and 110 cm through the one way glass
Material: wood
Recommended focal length:
From spring to autumn
> 500 mm + 1.4x TC (APS-C)
>800 mm (FF) and TC
Winter time:
Still not tested as it is first month since the hide was built
Orientation of photography: 1 way
Orientation of hide: according to North-East
Angle of sight: 140°
Photography angle: 140°
Photography surface via: one-way glass, losing 1 1/3 aperture or for lower angle embrasure with no light loss.
Size of glass: 2x120 cm
Inside temperature: Not tested yet.
Clothing: upper clothes black or very dark, black gloves!
Room Availability: 4-6 persons
Checklist (Since September 2015):
- Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) *#
- White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) *
- Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) *
- Graylag Goose (Anser anser) * #
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) *#
- Teal (Anas crecca) *#
- Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) *
- Great White Egret (Casmeroodius albus) *
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) *
- White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) *# (2-3 birds)
- Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) *# (2-3 birds, but migratory)
- Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) *
- Common Crane (Grus grus) *
- Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) *#
- Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) *#
- Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) *
- Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) *
- Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) *#
- Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) *
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) *#
- Common Gull (Larus canus) *#
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) *#
- Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) *
- Feral Pigeon (Columba livia (domest.)) *
- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) *
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) *#
- House Martin (Delichon urbicum) *
- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) *
- Skylark (Alauda arvensis) *
- Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) *
- Great Tit (Parus major) *
- Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) *#
- Magpie (Pica pica) *
- Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) *
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) *#
- Raven (Corvus corax) *
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) *
- Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) *
Mammals:
1. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)*#
* Checklist seen
# Checklist photographed
“Garden of Eden” Drinking Station Hide№3
There is only one drinking stations (YET) where the passerine birds can be photographed from. The orchards are 8 km away from the guest-house. The hide is above the ground, but we built up a 70 cm ditch for the drinking station, this way we can photograph comfortably from a horizontal level, sitting on a bench. The water doesn’t reach the edge of the hide, but gives a full reflection of the birds to be photographed. The activity of the birds is extremely inconstant. The bird’s activity is monitored at least once per week, but we expecting the top results from April till end June. The short activity period is weather dependent. The movement is less when it is rainy, windy or very hot. The hide is available any time of the day. In winter is transformed to a feeding station so it will work at any season.
Technical data of the hide:
Year of building: September 2015
Number of photographed birds from the hide: 22
Number of observed birds from the hide: 42
Floor space: 300x250 cm
Height: 0 -70 cm direct view, and 110 cm through the one way glass
Bench height: 50 cm
Water volume: 4000 l
Water depth: 20 till 40 cm just in front of the hide
Distance between hide and end of pool (bathing spot): 8 m
Recommended focal length: 200-300 mm (APS-C)
400-500mm (FF)
Material: wood
Orientation of photography: 1 way
Orientation of hides: according to North 45°
Angle of sight: 160°
Photography angle: 160°
Photography surface via: one-way glass, losing 1 1/3 aperture or for lower angle embrasure with no light loss.
Size of glass: 2x 80 cm
Inside temperature: 15-25°C (June - July maximum of 30°C)
Clothing: upper clothes dark
Room Availability: 2-4 persons
Checklist (Since September 2015):
- Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) *# (Flying over :))
- Graylag Goose (Anser anser) * (Flying over :))
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) * (Flying over :))
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) *(Flying over :))
- Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)* (Flying over :))
- Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) *#
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)* (Flying over :))
- Common Crane (Grus grus) * (Flying over :))
- Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) *
- Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) *
- Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) *
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) *#
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) * (Flying over :))
- Robin (Erithacus rubecula) *#
- Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) *#
- Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) *
- Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) *
- Blackbird (Turdus merula) *
- Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) *#
- Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) *
- Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) * #
- Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) *#
- Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) *#
- Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) *#
- Great Tit (Parus major) *#
- Coal Tit (Periparus ater) *
- Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) *#
- Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) *#
- Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) *#
- Magpie (Pica pica) *(Flying over :))
- Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) *#
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) *(Flying over :))
- Raven (Corvus corax) *(Flying over :))
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) *
- Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) *#
- Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) *#
- Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) *#
- Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) *#
- Siskin (Spinus spinus) *#
- Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) *#
- Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) *#
- Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) *
Mammals:
- Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)*
- Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)*
- Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)*
- Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius)*
- Yellow-necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)*
- Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)*#
* Checklist seen
# Checklist photographed
Large “Reed Bed” Hide №4
It is built next to a reed beds, we use to breed the young fishonly in this pond so it is attracting big variety of fish eating birds. To avoid disturbing the birds, the distance from the hotel is about 2 km. In the hide there will be mobile bio-toilet. To be able to keep warm, the hide (winter and early spring) will be equipped with a gas heater, which uses air from outside and has a chimney for releasing flue-gas.
The birds are mostly feeding with the fish bred in the pond, which is available from the autumn until beginning of the summer, when the pond is drained for the summer season. About 20-25 meter far from the hide there is a reed bed which is used by many birds during the breading season. The activity of the birds, but as the hide is positioned in North direction, this was thought to be available for morning and evening photo sessions. We put also perches in front of the hide so you can get some close up shots of the birds. Once, we can photograph them all day long depending on weather or the art skills of our clients. The birds are constantly around the area, they often gather in evening hours to roost, 100-200 meters away from the hide there is open waters used by ducks to feed as the water level is very much the same, because it is on the main fly away of the bird migration, we expecting very big diversity. As soon as the first bird arrives, the others will join in soon in numbers from 25 birdspecies in winter and up to 50-60 in late summer. We recommend at least 80 cm away from the glass and avoid sudden movements. Keeping the above mentioned rules is essential for successful day in the hide, otherwise the birds easily become mistrustful towards the hide. When it is not frosty, the place is often visited by a number of Caspian, Herring, Black-headed and Common Gulls to roost. Also Grey Heron, Great White Egret and Common Crane are frequent visitors of the roosting site. This is our only hide, where we expect more birds during migration, thus occurrence of the birds is unpredictable, but frequently observation are done weekly basis. The hide was built in October 2015 and is yet to be made lots of improvements and observations, but winter will give us more feedback about the behavior of the birds and we will update the checklist frequently with data about the numbers of species here.
Technical data of hide:
Year of building: October 2015
Number of photographed birds from the hide: 2
Number of observed birds from the hide: 10
Floor space: 500x250 cm
Height: 0 -70 cm direct view, and 110 cm through the one way glass
Material: wood
Recommended focal length:
From spring to autumn
300 mm + 1.4x TC (APS-C)
500 mm (FF) and TC
Winter time:
Still not tested as it is first month since the hide was built
Orientation of photography: 1 way
Orientation of hide: according to North-East
Angle of sight: 140°
Photography angle: 140°
Photography surface via: one-way glass, losing 1 1/3 aperture or for lower angle embrasure with no light loss.
Size of glass: 2x 120 cm
Inside temperature: Not tested yet.
Clothing: upper clothes black or very dark, black gloves!
Room Availability: 4-6 persons
Checklist (Since September 2015):
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) *#
- Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) *
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) *#
- White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) *
- Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) *
- Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) *
- Common Gull (Larus canus) *
- Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) *
- Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) *
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) *
Mammals:
* Checklist seen
# Checklist photographed