NORTH YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY HIDES, MALTON,

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Wildlife photography at its most exciting (well for me at least !) a female kingfisher emerging from the water with a stickleback, photographed from just a few metres away.

APRIL - MY FIRST VISIT TO NORTH YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY HIDES

Springtime. The early morning light is perfect - beautifully soft with just a light cloud cover. I sit quietly in the hide, watching and waiting, my camera poised. Suddenly I hear a sharp, high pitched whistle. The kingfisher is near. I double check my camera settings. The camera shutter is set to silent. I'm ready.The kingfisher lands on a perch just a few metres in front of my lens. She stares at the water beneath her, then dives. Too late! I just wasn't quick enough. But up she comes with a stickleback and whacks it against the perch. Gently I squeeze the shutter. I feel my hands are shaking, I hardly dare breathe, the kingfisher is so close. Just as suddenly as she appeared, she's gone and I sink back onto my chair and finally breathe. Wow. I review my images. The natural light has caught the Kingfisher's brilliant plumage and a catchlight in her eye. The backdrop of golden reeds has created the soft blur I was desperate to achieve. I don't like messy backgrounds and for the work I do for stock agencies, I have to have a clean image with ample copy space for editors.This was my first visit to North Yorkshire Photography Wildlife hides near Malton.It certainly wasn't to be my last!

male kingfisher with soft reeds in background3.jpg

Another visit from the male Kingfisher. Hopefully, a breeding pair

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Just look at the iridescent colours of this male kingfisher's plumage.

The male kingfisher returns to his favourite perch. What is he looking at?

WILDLIFE AT NORTH YORKSHIRE HIDES

The hides attract a wonderful variety of wildlife throughout the year. However, as with all wildlife photography, nothing can be guaranteed and time of year, weather conditions and time of day, all play a part in which species visits the hides.

Every visit will be different. You could spend hours photographing kingfishers one visit while the next, a sparrowhawk or Buzzard may appear. Night time sessions may bring badgers or tawny owls: the unpredictability is all part of the excitement wildlife photography brings.

On my last visit in April, my Merlin Bird ID App picked up the call of a Black Redstart which was later confirmed by another observer - which just goes to show that unexpected species can occasionally make an appearance.

Here are just some of the animals regularly seen from the hides, plus there's bound to be many more to add!

BIRDS: Kingfishers, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Dunnocks, Wrens, Robins, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Tawny owls, Sparrowhawk, Pheasants, Grey Heron, Mandarin Ducks, Mallards and Moorhens

MAMMALS: Badgers, Roe Deer, Foxes and on occasion, otters.

Grey heron, Scientific name: Ardea cinerea. Close up of a Grey

The grey heron moves silently through the reeds, poised like a statue

The stunning Mandarin Drake perched on a log

Male Kingfisher, watches and waits for the right moment before diving

A bit more about the hides, the location, facilities and cost.

The hides are owned and run by Gary, who is very approachable and always open to suggestions and the needs of photographers.

Located in 18 acres of private woodland (just outside Malton) both the original hide and the new hide have the most beautiful and tranquil lake setting. Gary gives further details once you have booked your session. He is flexible on times but usually the day hide is from 7 am. There is also a separate evening session for the badgers, with up to five badgers being seen recently.

A new hide with a purpose-built kingfisher pool has also been added for 2026, offering another exciting opportunity for photographers.

Facilities: There is safe car- parking, a toilet and a flask waiting for you should you wish to make a drink. Gary will guide you to the hide which is very comfortable and answer any questions you may have.

There's extra food to top up the bird feeders if you wish to do so.

Gary will make sure you are settled before leaving you to enjoy your time in the hide.

The cost is £75.00 per session (one person in a private hide with the opportunity to photograph a wonderful variety of British wildlife in a peaceful woodland setting.

Two people - £100

A beautiful Jay came remarkably close to the hide, allowing me to capture the intricate detail of its plumage.

A FEW LITTLE TIPS:

The hide is not heated so in very cold weather, I would suggest taking hotties for your hands and feet, or a hot water bottle , or microwaveable heat pad. You can become cold quite quickly sitting still for long periods of time

With the kingfisher, you often hear the high pitched call before you see them.

I put my camera shutter and my phone on silent

I found eye tracking useful on some subjects and a bit hit and miss on others.

I haven't had any success as yet with the buzzards, but from my research, it is essential that they do not see you - therefore going into the hide before daybreak may help and avoid twitching the camouflage netting or any lens movement.

Gary won't want to disturb the wildlife when you are in the hide, but if you need him, just text him as he lives on site and always available to help.

There is a toilet on site

A torch would be useful if doing the evening/night session

A quick check on the weather forecast may help you decide which day is best to visit the hide. Bright, glarey sunshine will cast harsh shadows and bleach out colours. Aim for light cloud cover if possible.

THE CAMERAS AND LENSES I USED AT THE HIDE

At the moment I am using two mirrorless Camera bodies. R6 and R7. I use them with an EF Canon 500mm F4 lens, (with an adaptor as this lens is for a DSLR camera). Sometimes I use this lens with a 1.4 extender, giving an aperture of 5.6 and a focal length of 700mm, which makes it quite handy.

The other lens I used is the Canon RF lens 100 - 500mm giving an aperture of 7.1 at 500mm. This lens is much more flexible than a 500mm prime but the F4 gives such a lovely soft bokeh and I'm a sucker for that :) In wildlife hides I use a ground pod with gimbal head or a bean bag. I mainly shoot in manual and keep checking my settings. If the light conditions are constantly changing, bright one minute and dull the next, then I may change to AV mode.

North Yorkshire Wildlife photography hides are really special and in such a stunning location - well worth a visit !

The website is:- www.welhamlake.co.uk

with further details also on their Facebook page

Great Spotted Woodpecker in Springtime