New "Wildlife Centre".

Work started today on the new "wildlife centre" which is going to be a perfect location for observing and photographing birds and other wildlife at close quarters.  The entire location is being set up to allow close observation and photography, from just a few feet, of the local resident woodland birds and hopefully some winter visitors as well. The main accommodation is a converted caravan which will eventually be disguised to look like a log cabin.  There is  a bed, heating, electricity and cooking facilities. It is carpeted, warm damp free and comfortable. The windows will be converted to feature "two-way" glass and ports for camera lenses. This will all give a clear view of a new wildlife pool for drinking and bathing birds as well as deer and foxes. A variety of feeders are positioned just feet from the camouflaged windows.  There are specially  constructed clamps that can allow for the changing of natural foliage to vary the photo opportunities.  A large 6 foot high log is buried two feet in to the ground and because of the natural slope, it is at eye level to the viewer.  This log  will be baited with "road-kill" to encourage the local breeding Buzzards (Buteo buteo) to come down and feed. Baiting has already been going on for the last 8 weeks and there is evidence of some use by Buzzards already.

The main exciting feature is the specially dug pit in front of the pond. This pit  allows for two photographers to be  positioned with a lens at ground level directly on the same level of the pool. From this position, some stunning views will be possible at the same level as the drinking and bathing wildlife. The roof of the pit will be turfed and will blend in perfectly with the natural vegetation. Access will be via a hinged hatch. This is all very exciting and when it settles down will just get better and better.   The results of all this will obviously feature very regularly on the blog and future  plans include a 24 hour streaming web cam which will be viewable from the blog.  It will be fascinating to watch, in infra-red, foxes, deer and badgers foraging and feeding in front of the cameras.   Again watch this space.