There are a number of commercially available hides available to photographers in the UK.   Some of these sites offer a variety of hides for different species, so please visit their websites for full details.  Look through my Blog and you'll find links to some of the photographs taken at the hides I have visited.  These are some of the ones that I have used, several on more than one occasion:

 

Gary Jones Wildlife Photography - Little Owl Hide

On the Welsh borders, Gary's Little Owl hide is situated on a working farm.  The hide is located close to a regular little owl breeding site.  No facilities.  

 

Marton Heath Trout Pools / Pikelow Farm

Predominantly woodland hides with well stocked feeders, no facilities in basic timber hides, but on-site toilet available - I can offer 1 to 1 tuition at these hides. Small mammal and macro-photography available.  

 

Mike Dunlevy

Set in the grounds of a beautiful Shropshire Estate our Kingfisher Hide, has heating, seats 4 comfortably, has toilet facilities onsite, has a diving set up, is well equipped with gimbal heads and bean bags and has lots of visits from the resident Kingfishers.  There is also a woodland hide with a reflection pool available.

 

The Mouse Nest

Lee Smith can provide workshops to photograph harvest mice and also has a well equipped hide (with heating, toilet and hot water) for overnight photography of red fox, little owl, tawny owl and barn owl.   The Meadow Hide run by Lee offers buzzard during the day and badgers by night.    All lighting is provided by Lee. Located near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.  

 

Neil McIntyre - Red Squirrel Photograph Hide.  

Set within the ancient Caledonian pine forest this hide is located in prime red squirrel habitat. Surrounded by towering old pine trees and glorious silver birch all set amongst a carpet of heather, there is an endless array of images for you to challenge yourself to achieve. Choose from intimate portraits, sitting on gnarled stump perches, jumping, running & chasing, behavioural, feeding, the list goes on as there are many other spontaneous opportunities for you to try and capture.  Hot drinks are provided.  

 

North Wales Fox Hide

Situated in a private garden near Kimnel Bay, this hide offers excellent opportunities to photograph red fox at a reflection pool with lighting supplied.

 

North West Wildlife Workshops

Predominantly Raptor photography for small groups -booking is via their Facebook page.

 

Penny Hedge

Day-time photography for woodland birds and red squirrels in Perthshire with added advantage of night-time photography for pine martens.  Hot drinks available. Lighting and flash provided plus guidance on use.

 

Scottish Photography Hides

Scottish Photography Hides are located in South West Scotland,  set amidst stunning scenery and have proven themselves to be very successful.

The Kirkcudbright site hold the majority of the hides with the most popular for species such as sparrowhawk, kingfisher, badger and otter.  During the breeding season, additional hides for cuckoo, pied flycatcher and redstart are usually offered and multi-hide days are available.  Toilets are available at some hides.

 

Wildlife Photography Hides

Wildlife Photography Hides is run by 'European Wildlife Photographer Of The Year' awardee Tom Robinson in South Lincolnshire, UK. His permanent hides are all finished to a very high standard - some of the features installed include heating, toilets, tea & coffee and comfortable office chairs. All information about new hides, offers & workshops are released through their newsletter.

All of the hides are placed in locations that take background, lighting and angle of view into account for both the professional and amateur photographer alike.  The Pond Hide offers 24 hr photography opportunities with Kingfisher during the day and grey heron, otter and tawny owl.  During the summer, tower hides have offered opportunities to photograph nesting long-eared owl, green woodpecker and sparrowhawk in recent years.

​

Photography hides are also available in several European Countries.  We have visited the following ones in Finland

Kuusamo Photography

Located around Kuusamo, offering hides for Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Bean Geese and Common Crane, woodland birds and Golden Eagle.  Some of the hides offer low-level viewing, but as they mainly operate  during winter, warm clothing is. The company also offer tours and excursions.

​

Finnature

Better known as Finland's premier bird tour operator, they also have several photography hides around Oulu including some excellent wetland hides for Ruff. Hides are also available for Eagle Owl, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk and Golden Eagle. Packages for all the hides are available as are photography tours.

​

Bear Centre

These are probably the best hides in Finland for Brown Bear with the added bonus of Wolverine and Red Fox. and a woodland hide for birds.  All told there are over 25 hides with bunks in for bear photography.  Several days are recommended to get the most out of the hides and habitats.   Accomodation is also available.

​

Wildlife Safaris

Similiar to Bear Centre, but with increased chances for Wolverine and Wolf, plus Golden and White-tailed Eagle. Accomodaton is also available.

​

 

​

​

​

​