New kingfisher Nest Bank/Hide

I see from the blog that the proposed hide will have an admission charge! Talk about biting the hand that feeds. Quality! :-(

I guess it will be by invitation only next and no trainers allowed.

I don't know if it is such a bad thing to be honest. Let's see how it pans out.

I've read another blog on here describing a trial of charging for a new hide aimed at photographers.  Can't remember which reserve it was unfortunately, but was £30 a half day IIRC (something like that anyway).  I too am a bit lukewarm on the idea to be honest, but it looks like it may be a theme across a number of reserves.

Found it - Old Moor

www.rspb.org.uk/.../photography-at-old-moor-part-two-including-hide-hire-at-163-5-for-a-limited-time.aspx

£40 per session for 1, £60 for two, 25% discount for members for a 3 hour session.  Geltsdale are also doing something similar with pop up hides

Look at it in a positive way, if the hide is on a chargeable basis, in theory it "should" attract serious people with regard to their photography (me for one) the most important thing that the Rye meads team MUST remember is to seek advice from serious photographers, if we are paying, the setup and facilities must be "up to the mark", credit card payment MUST be available, on line booking must be available, up to date information on nesting must be available and probably the most important - being able to gain early access, all these things go hand in hand with charging.

Rye Meads has previously charged photographers for exclusive access in the early morning to the Kingfisher Hide. It sounds like they're planning it for the new hide once it's built if it gets the go ahead.

I think you are all forgeting that this should be about the welfare of the birds not our ability to take photos of them which should be secondary!!

The real question is... Do I get a refund if the kingfisher is a no show???

Don't talk rubbish, please post common sense comments!!!!