Given the level of interest given so far here and by email, I have reserved all available spaces at Gigrin which is 3 in Tower and 5 in Gateway. It looks like we will need a rota of some sort if all 12 people expressing interest so far make it on the day........ still plenty of room for others to join, feeding action at Gigrin is over at least a two hour period so plenty of time to move between hides
Rough itinery will be;
7.30 am to 8.30 am - River Elan - SN 9551 6678 [park beyond metal bridge] "keen red eyed photographers" - 2 miles south west of Elan Valley reserve centre for Dipper and ...... nothing promised - 1 hour "lucky dip"
9 for 9.30 - 12.30 Elan Valley reserve SN 9278 6471 [park in reservoir centre £1 charge, cafe and toilets] morning in ancient oak wood, target species displaying Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, also present Tawny Owl, common woodland birds, Tree Pipit and Redstart, but last two species elusive.
1'ish - 2.30 lunch in centre cafe and a natter or shorter lunch and/or 1 more hour on river Elan depending on peoples wants on the day
aim to get to Gigrin SN 9795 6776 for 2.30 -2.45 to commandeer hides from tourists. £10 for photo hides, £5 general hide entry
The technical bit -
Elan Valley - Minimum focal length required 400mm with crop centre cameras, but really 500mm plus teleconverters and sturdy tripod equipment recommended .....there are no hides, lightweight scrim/baghides may help at feeding stations (more below)
I will be putting out mealworm feeders in Elan on Friday this year due to other work committments in the hope of attracting down the Pied Flys - we'e had mixed success over the last two years hopefully my mealworms will arrive safely this year
The morning session requires a certain level of fitness so be prepared for walking up a hillside zig/zag path, wear appropriate shoes and clothing and restrict your camera bag contents to that you are comfortable to carry uphill - Oak leaf emergence will hopefully be not too advanced with sufficient light that flash is not required, but flash is recommended to get the eye catchlights etc - ie if you've got it bring a fill flash set-up, it may be usefull on the day. There will be sufficient expertise on the day to help out any newbies with technical questions on using fill flash if required
Gigrin - you can get away with 300mm and crop centre cameras, but as always the more focal length you have the more photo opportunities you will generate.
I've had my first shipment of mealworms this week, so now happy regards timing and my supply for the weekend.
I am toying with the idea of getting the Warden's permission at Elan Valley to put up some simple low screen hides , (some free prints may grease the relevant palms...) so if folks have low tripod style camping stools please bring them along, it will save your knees/bums, I have enough materials now to erect 4 simple two person screens for the feeders.
At last count I had 12 yeas' for Gigrin, please let me now if your plans have now changed
Mike
Posted by Paul Thomas on April 18, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Hi Mike,
I'm not convinced that you need to go the trouble of putting up hides, especially for Pied Flycatchers which IME are very trusting little birds. A bit of scrim over the tripod/lens should suffice. Or bag hide for those who want to freak out the bird watchers
Everything seems set, I have my mark III feeders assembled, the mealworms have been delivered, and the weather for Saturday seems promising, albeit I am going to get soaked on Friday setting up
I will be have no computer access from Thursday evening (no broadband in my flat ). The roads to Rhyadar/Elan reservoirs can be slow with holiday traffic so if you get delayed Saturday morning please phone me on 07799 222920 so I can wait to give anyone new to the site a mini briefing on the site and rough map of feeder locations. Otherwise D time will be 9.30am latest.
Insomniacs meet at the metal bailey bridge 2 miles before reservoir centre to scan the river, I may get there closer to dawn than 7.30am, if not too kn*ackered from the Friday reccie.
Gary bring some short stools if possible the bankside is hard (and damp) where I have in mind - or at least 2hrs sitting in one place on my bum can be painfull at my age....... FYI its ten minutes to the centre from here, so you can hang around longer but I have to get to the centre about 9 to meet and greet
Sounds like you've put a lot of work in there to make it work as a day out Mike - thanks. I hope a few folks buy you some lunch or a pint on the night!
Guys. Having missed this event for the last years I was determined to get to this one. Hotel was booked etc etc
Our doctor diagonised our 1.5 year old daughter with chicken pox this morning so, as the hotel would rather we did not stay and it's a bit rough leaving my wife to take care of hannah by herself for the weekend, I have had to pull out.
Mike, sorry, and if you could let me know how much moneyi owe for bookings etc I will recompense you asap.
Discussion
14 repliesUpdate #2 in thread below
Final update at end of threads below
Paul
I'll be there for the day. Gateway hide please.
T
i'll also be there and would also like the Gateway hide if poss please.
Kev
Rough itinery will be;
7.30 am to 8.30 am - River Elan - SN 9551 6678 [park beyond metal bridge] "keen red eyed photographers" - 2 miles south west of Elan Valley reserve centre for Dipper and ...... nothing promised - 1 hour "lucky dip"
9 for 9.30 - 12.30 Elan Valley reserve SN 9278 6471 [park in reservoir centre £1 charge, cafe and toilets] morning in ancient oak wood, target species displaying Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, also present Tawny Owl, common woodland birds, Tree Pipit and Redstart, but last two species elusive.
1'ish - 2.30 lunch in centre cafe and a natter or shorter lunch and/or 1 more hour on river Elan depending on peoples wants on the day
aim to get to Gigrin SN 9795 6776 for 2.30 -2.45 to commandeer hides from tourists. £10 for photo hides, £5 general hide entry
The technical bit -
Elan Valley - Minimum focal length required 400mm with crop centre cameras, but really 500mm plus teleconverters and sturdy tripod equipment recommended .....there are no hides, lightweight scrim/baghides may help at feeding stations (more below)
I will be putting out mealworm feeders in Elan on Friday this year due to other work committments in the hope of attracting down the Pied Flys - we'e had mixed success over the last two years hopefully my mealworms will arrive safely this year
The morning session requires a certain level of fitness so be prepared for walking up a hillside zig/zag path, wear appropriate shoes and clothing and restrict your camera bag contents to that you are comfortable to carry uphill - Oak leaf emergence will hopefully be not too advanced with sufficient light that flash is not required, but flash is recommended to get the eye catchlights etc - ie if you've got it bring a fill flash set-up, it may be usefull on the day. There will be sufficient expertise on the day to help out any newbies with technical questions on using fill flash if required
Gigrin - you can get away with 300mm and crop centre cameras, but as always the more focal length you have the more photo opportunities you will generate.
Mike
I'm looking forward to it.
Tom
I've had my first shipment of mealworms this week, so now happy regards timing and my supply for the weekend.
I am toying with the idea of getting the Warden's permission at Elan Valley to put up some simple low screen hides , (some free prints may grease the relevant palms...) so if folks have low tripod style camping stools please bring them along, it will save your knees/bums, I have enough materials now to erect 4 simple two person screens for the feeders.
At last count I had 12 yeas' for Gigrin, please let me now if your plans have now changed
Mike
I'm not convinced that you need to go the trouble of putting up hides, especially for Pied Flycatchers which IME are very trusting little birds. A bit of scrim over the tripod/lens should suffice. Or bag hide for those who want to freak out the bird watchers
Paul
I will be have no computer access from Thursday evening (no broadband in my flat
Insomniacs meet at the metal bailey bridge 2 miles before reservoir centre to scan the river, I may get there closer to dawn than 7.30am, if not too kn*ackered from the Friday reccie.
I may or may not be there depending on whether I can get the car fixed in time.
Paul
Gary bring some short stools if possible the bankside is hard (and damp) where I have in mind - or at least 2hrs sitting in one place on my bum can be painfull at my age.......
Hope you all have a good day.
Our doctor diagonised our 1.5 year old daughter with chicken pox this morning so, as the hotel would rather we did not stay and it's a bit rough leaving my wife to take care of hannah by herself for the weekend, I have had to pull out.
Mike, sorry, and if you could let me know how much moneyi owe for bookings etc I will recompense you asap.
T