Passerine drinking Hide No.1

Hungary

Location and installation year

This hide is located in the Debrecen Great Wood reserve which is a superb old oak forest. It was installed in October 2008. We have a drinking pool in front of the hide and we also feed the woodpeckers and seed eater birds throughout the winter. It has bee n rebuilt in 2023 and now it is possible to photograph with and without glass.

Access

It is about 300 meter gentle walk to the hide.

Size and style

It is 180 cm wide, 250 cm long and 140 cm high. It has 230 cm by 45 cm photo-through windows. It is comforatble for three photographers.

Comfort and accessories

Three chairs with back support
Gas operated mobile heating system (while -5°C outside it can be 20°C inside the hide) from October to March
Shelf
Ventilators against the steaming up of the glass window

Regulation

This hide can be entered any time. It is possible to leave the hide any time but has to spend minimum 5 hours in a row once entered.

Recommended Photo Equipment

The distance to the end of the drinking pool where most birds appear is 5.5 meter from the hide. All sort of lenses recommended but a 300 mm is the best. Also take a 500mm if possible, especially for woodpeckers in winter. Occasionally some species perch closer to the hide so a zoom lens can be useful too.

What to bring

No essential items

Photo period

Throughout the year

Possible species

Honey Buzzard (May-August); Common Buzzard (winter); Sparrowhawk (winter and August, September); Goshawk (September-October); Pheasant (winter); Woodpigeon (May to September); Turtle Dove (May to September); Cuckoo (April and May); Tawny Owl (August); Bee-eater (May and August); Black Woodpecker (May to September); Green Woodpecker (May to September); Great Spotted Woodpecker (all year round); Middle Spotted Woodpecker (all year round; best in April, May or winter); Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (May); Grey-headed Woodpecker, Wryneck (May) Tree Pipit (May); Waxwing (December-April); Robin (April and May, August to October); Nightingale (April to July); Common Redstart (September); Song Thrush (April to October); Mistle Thrush (October to December) Redwing (winter); Blackbird (all year round); Fieldfair (winter); Blackcap (April to September); Garden Warbler (May); Barred Warbler (May); Icterine Warbler (August); Willow Warbler (April to May and August to September); Wood Warbler (August); Chiffchaff (April to October); Goldcrest (October); Wren (October-March); Spotted Flycatcher (July to September); Red-breasted Flycatcher (May); Pied Flycatcher (May and August); Collared Flycatcher (April and May); Great Tit (all year round); Blue Tit (all year round); Marsh Tit (all year round); Long-tailed Tit (all year round); Nuthatch (all year round); Short-toed Treecreeper (April and May); Red-backed Shrike (May to August); Jay (all year round); Starling (April to July); Golden Oriole (May-August); Tree Sparrow (all year round); Chaffinch (all year round); Brambling (winter); Goldfinch (winter); Greenfinch (all year round); Sisikin (winter); Bullfinch (October to March); Hawfinch (all year round); Crossbill (January) Yellowhammer (April to September); MAMMALS: Red fox (all year round); Red squirrel (all year round); Roe Deer (all year round); Stout (June-August)