Guestbook

David Gillette-Inglis from Kirk Ella wrote on July 14, 2020:

One-to-one Red squirrel workshop. What a great day - so good booked another for end of July. A cool day in June with damp conditions - a little drizzle at times but a really great set up for photography, and very willing photogenic squirrels.. So good you could almost say they had been trained! The reflection pool is a must for anyone going to one of these workshops probably the best part of the day. Apart froom the squirrels look out for the bird life as well. Make sure you have enough batteries and memory cards you will need them.

Ray Sanderson from Shildon wrote on July 5, 2020:

I decided to book the reflection pool hide for the Red Squirrels for Saturday 4th July the day when lock down eased a little and i had the most enjoyable time this must be the best place in the country to photograph Red Squirrels. Paul stayed a while setting up and in case i needed help with camera settings, Paul then decided to leave and said he would be back later in the day.
I soon settled down to take photographs of the reds and at one time I counted 11 Squirrels I have been to hides before but never have I seen so many Squirrels, I soon had over 900 images on one camera and 400 on another so decided to just watch the Squirrels which i did for well over an hour which was so relaxing and there were Red Squirrels there all the time many times I did not know which one to take photo's of i even took pictures with my phone they were that close.
Like I have said these hides must be the best Red Squirrel hides in the country you have range of back drops to choose from unlike other hides.
Thanks Paul for your time and no doubt I will be back.

Ken + Terese from Pontefract wrote on June 26, 2020:

First time we had done anything like this and the package we booked included the woodland hide, reflection pool, and the jumping platform. The Squirrels were fantastic, we counted up to ten at the woodland hide, five at the reflection pool and they were darting about all over at the jumping station, in other words we were never without Red Squirrels to photograph. The woodland hide was ideal, great views on to logs, tree trunks etc with nice clean backgrounds to get some great shots, the reflection pool was amazing and the photo's we got were brilliant. We really enjoyed the jumping platform and thanks to Paul got photo's that we never imagined we would ever get. Paul himself is really easy to get on with and really knows his photography which he will help you with if needed. His passion for the Squirrels really shines through and he did everything he could to to give us a great experience. Chaffinches, Coal Tits, Siskins, Redpolls and GS Woodpeckers were also seen, would we go again?, definitely, we will be booking again later this year.

Phil & Michelle from Chorley, Lancashire wrote on June 5, 2020:

We would like to start by thanking Paul for an absolutely brilliant and informative day at his incredible hide. On arrival we were greeted by several squirrels bounding around accompanied with the sound of a pair of cuckoos calling to each other, wow.
My wife and I spent the day in both the woodland and reflection pool hides. The woodland hide is fantastic with more than enough room along with excellent visibility from both front and side windows which allow you to photograph the squirrels on well positioned 'perches'. Both short focal length and zoom lenses are recommended for use in both hides as the squirrels can come very close to the windows. The chances of excellent shots are readily available as the squirrels are all over the place, so much so it is hard to pick which one to photograph. We can definitely confirm that all the time we were there at least 5 squirrels were present at any one time with in excess of 10 on several occasions.
The reflection pool is absolutely fantastic, well lit and adorned with low growing plants and moss around the edges along with strategically placed rocks and tree branches/logs for the squirrels to sit on, at one point we had 5 sat around the pool edge.
We have spent many hours photographing squirrels at various sites in both Scotland and England, Paul's hides are by far the best and most exhilarating we have been to, so much so that we would definitely rank it as one of the best nature up close experiences that we have ever had.
The experience was so enjoyable with so many images to capture that we have booked to return in a couple of weeks to try and get images of the squirrels running along fallen tree trunks, moss covered dry stone walls and bounding along the woodland floor.
If you love to see and photograph red squirrels then this is most definitely the place to visit, we cannot recommend this hide experience enough, thanks again Paul and we'll see you soon.

Phil & Michelle

Roy from Oakham wrote on June 1, 2020:

My first thanks go to Boris for easing the travel restrictions, and then to Mr. Paul Fowlie for a truly spectacular day. Pauls knowledge of his 'patch' and of the subject species showed as he decided when to move and where to move to. The original booking date matched Lockdown day and It is a shame that the waterfalls that were in spate when the trip was booked suffered from the driest March to May period on record, That gives me a reason to return. Thanks to an email from Paul, suggesting some urgency, my target species photography has resulted in a unique record of a special period of the species. life. I feel very privileged to have spent a day with Paul and look forward to many more. I am cautious about giving to much detail about my trip as I worry that Paul could struggle to match the experience he gave me. Many thanks Paul, a brilliant day

Peter Barby from Wakefield wrote on May 14, 2020:

Result!! Paul is open for business once again!! And although Paul has suffered financially, no income & no help from the government, his dedication to maintaining the hides & adding new features, hasn't wavered. Six Red Squirrels at once visited the Reflection Pool whilst I was there. And they kept coming regularly. But that's not all. Birds galore. A Female Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on the tree in front of the hide. Chaffinch by the dozen. Lots of Coal Tits stopping by long enough to get some great shots. And todays special treat, A Crossbill (sorry, Paul. Didn't mean to rub it in) that landed on the side of the Reflection Pool. I didn't get a photo of it on the side, my sudden movement, hey I was excited, scared it off into a nearby tree, but I managed a shot of it in the tree. Now there's a reason to go back again. So a fantastic day, lots of Reds and Paul is always good company. So give your support & book a day as soon as. You will go away with huge smiles & some great photos.

Tony Meddes from Jarrow wrote on March 20, 2020:

Red squirrel workshop, if carlsberg did photography trips it might just be as good as the day we had, great set up for photography, and very willing squirrels. The reflection pool is a must for anyone going to one of these workshops (My favourite part of the day) make sure you have enough batteries and memory cards you will need them.

Graeme Gall from South Shields wrote on March 19, 2020:

Thanks for today Paul, we both had a great time with the red squirrels.. The new set-up works really well and the reflection pool was very entertaining. We will definitely be back for more.

Sandi from Doncaster wrote on March 3, 2020:

Had a great day yesterday at the Squirrel hides it’s a beautiful place lots of wildlife and the squirrels are gorgeous they come so close there are photo opportunities everywhere and Paul does a great job looking after them and keeping the hides accessible which isn’t an easy job especially in the winter. He’s a great guide and good company too I can’t wait to go on another one!! Thanks Paul.

Tim Gilbert from Blackpool wrote on February 27, 2020:

Brilliant day at the red squirrel workshop which allowed us to photograph them in a variety of situations and from very close range. Paul was really helpful, very well organised and went the extra mile to ensure that we got the best possible experience and came away with some stunning images.

Robert Harry from South Wales wrote on February 14, 2020:

Arrived on Wednesday 12 Feb 2020 , stayed the night work on the Thursday Morning to be greeted with a down fall of snow , Paul picked me up from the Hotel strait from the start I new that paul was a passionate photographer, arrived at the hides from the start to the finish Paul went the extra mile to make sure that I arrived back to wales with outstanding photos , every one who has looked at the images are very envious, can’t wish for a better guide , can’t wait to revisit in July , if you have always wanted to photograph red squirrels this is the place will not get better any were in the UK

Again thanks Paul , see you in July
Ps the Guinness is on me

Rob

David from Chadderton wrote on February 10, 2020:

Just had an amazing two days with Paul photographing
Snow buntings ,mountain hares and crested tits.
Paul goes the extra mile to make sure you get the shots of these.
Nothing is too much trouble. For him .
The guest house he uses is perfect .
Definitely recommend going on one of Paul’s workshops and looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Paul

Karl from Lincoln wrote on February 9, 2020:

Spent a morning at Paul’s reflection pool and what a great morning it was. Paul wasn’t available on the day but his friend Seamus did an excellent job and was great company. If you have been thinking of booking then just do it, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you for a great morning’s photography Seamus, will definitely be back.

Paul Searle from Leeds wrote on February 3, 2020:

I was on the same Squirrel photography day as Nick. Despite the rain, superb day and still managed to get some great shots, thanks to some coaching and help from Paul.Would recommend to anyone and we will be back - on a sunny day!

Nick Townsend from Wetherby wrote on February 2, 2020:

A visit to the squirrel hides. I booked Pauls red squirrel hides but unfortunately the weather was atrocious. We could not rearrange due to commitments but Paul worked very hard to make sure we got the best possible pictures. His knowledge of the squirrel behaviour, photography skills and his commitment and enthusiasm made for a fantastic day with great images - despite the constant rain and storm force gales

John Warham from Thornham wrote on January 31, 2020:

Paul

Congratulations. Your new website is excellent. Keep up the good work.

Peter Barby from Wakefield wrote on January 22, 2020:

21-1-20. Reflection Pool & Leaping Squirrels.
Hi Paul,
I just want to say a big "thank you" for the fabulous day I spent with you & the 'Reds' yesterday (21-1-20). It truly was a fantastic day. I was very grateful for your advice & tips that helped me get better shots. And we had a few laughs too. I will definitely be coming back. If anyone reading this is thinking about booking, stop thinking about it & book it. You won't be disappointed. it is a great setup and you'll get excellent advice & come away with some great shots of Red Squirrels. Once again, Thank you Paul for a truly memorable day. My face is still aching from grinning so much.

Darin Carr from Woodford wrote on January 19, 2020:

Amazing experience to learn how to photograph wildlife. Not only is Paul very friendly, knowledgable and patient, the environmewnt is out of this world. (cold in winter for the Australian metabolism)
It has 3 main areas and you walk away with magical photos, improved knowledge and greater confidence. Will certainly be re-booking again next time over and even booking Pauls other workshops.
Thanks Paul.

Alastair from Staffordshire wrote on December 8, 2019:

I had a great day in the hides in Octoberphotographing the red squirrels, 6 or 7 constantly present with the result being I was spoilt for choice for images to capture. Paul is a great bloke, very knowledgeable and helpful in getting the most out the day. Wouldn't hesitate in recommending Paul and his hides if you want the chance to see and capture some images of Red squirrels in the natural environment.

Robert and Marny Macdonald from Colchester wrote on October 26, 2019:

Well done Paul. Pity about the weather but that is Scotland! We thoroughly enjoyed photographing
the stags in their natural environment Our first morning was magic. They stayed around for quite some time and the other sessions produced good sightings as well The hotel was very comfortable and the staff exceptionally helpful.

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