I’ve done a couple of Paul’s workshops now (Red Squirrels and Aviemore) and they are simply brilliant. Not only are the locations incredible – probably the best Squirrel hides in the UK – but Paul’s knowledge and help knew no limits. I learned so much on both workshops, got some incredible images that I never ever thought I’d get, and had a wonderful time and made lots of new friends. Cheers Paul. Can’t wait for the Sweden trip!

Wonderful wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales I would give more than 5* rating as had a great experience this week with the little owls and also the red squirrels. I learned a lot from Paul and was given all the time I needed to get a varied amount of photos. Nothing was too much trouble for him and I found him a very patient, kind and genuine guy. His love and enthusiasm for wildlife is obvious and I can’t wait to go back and try some more.

“Amazing Experience” We are still making our way through the photos we took at Paul’s Red Squirrel Hides in the… read more

Amazing Experience We are still making our way through the photos we took at Paul’s Red Squirrel Hides in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

Following booking with Paul he ensured we had all the necessary details on where to meet him, what the terrain would be like to the Hides and even down to the lenses we would require for each hide. We were not disappointed.

The setup of the hides is amazing set in mature woodland and providing opportunities to photograph the wonderful red squirrels up close. Both hides are well equipped and Paul was on hand to keep plenty of food supplied for the squirrels. Our favourite experience of the day was at the reflection pool hide, we couldn’t get over how close the squirrels were coming to us. Some wonderful images were taken here. There was also the opportunity to photograph the squirrels leaping and sat on moss covered stone walls. It was a privilege to be in their presence.

Paul has the perfect knowledge, personality and friendliness to make the experience a memorable one. The whole day was superb and we will be definitely repeating it next year. We would have no hesitation in highly recommending the red squirrel hides and Paul to our friends and fellow photographers.

“Absolutely amazing” A absolutely amazing place. My wife and I have visited several red squirrel sites in both Scotland… read more

Absolutely amazing A absolutely amazing place. My wife and I have visited several red squirrel sites in both Scotland and England and this is by far the best place we have seen them. More squirrel’s than we ever imagined we would see. If you love to see and photograph these little beauties then Paul’s hides are a must.
Thoroughly recommended

An excellent tutor and a great setup I had booked two one day workshops with Paul to do the reflection pool and the squirrels jumping. The first day was quite warm and humid but i still managed to get some great shots. On the second trip we had a blast with plenty of squirrel action and hundreds of woodland birds including the pheasants. What a fantastic experience and my thanks to Paul for making these two one day workshops a lot of fun. I will be back and cannot recommend Paul highly enough if you want to get some great red squirrel shots.

Another great workshop with Paul – Red Squirrels 1 to 1 workshop I had another great workshop with Paul on 2nd July, this time the red squirrels 1 to 1 workshop. Paul is a great photographer and tutor who, as always, gave well over 100% effort to ensure the workshop was a great success. His 2 red squirrels hides are really well set up and within a short space of time the ‘reds started to show and I got many really nice shots before moving on to the reflections pool. A few more nice shots before the couple of ‘reds’ disappeared early but the hide seemed awash with different types of birds, many young: nature at its very best and a joy to experience whether you’re a photographer or not and so peaceful.

As the ‘reds’ did not come back, I took some shots of siskin and buntings hovering near teasels: they are very quick but with Paul’s guidance and his excellent knowledge of the birds and their behaviour I came away with 2 shots I was really pleased with – the icing on the cake.

Paul is such a nice guy and I can highly recommend his hides and red squirrel workshop. A huge thanks Paul for all your effort, advice, skill and professionalism.

Red Squirrel 1-2-1 Workshop I have always wanted the chance to photograph red squirrels, so having come across Paul’s advert in one of my photographic magazines, I contacted him and arranged a visit. This was no small undertaking on my part as it involved a return drive from South London and an overnight stay My efforts to get there were well rewarded. A smiling Paul picked me up on a grey wet morning. By the time we arrived at the hides it was sleeting and then it hailed. By about 9.30am we had sunshine, blue sky and great red squirrel activity which continued until about 2pm. Both hides have their own virtues and you would never guess they are in the same area when you look back at your photos.

The hides and the private forest are well set up and maintained with trees, logs, perches and branches for the squirrels to pose on in the woodland area. Squirrels arrive as Paul is putting food out for them. As well as photographing them they are fascinating to watch. Just as one buries a nut, the next squirrel along digs it up and runs off with it! A short distance from the hide, there is an area with moss covered stone walls and logs that the squirrels run along giving you some variation for your pictures. Paul has just set some perches where the squirrels jump from one to the other, giving still more variation.

When you enter the reflection pool hide you find yourself at eye level with the surface of the pool and its not long before the squirrels follow. They arrive so silently that it is often a surprise when you see them. You really have to stay camera ready as these creatures are very speedy. Here you have the chance of some amazing shots but not really much time in between to review your photos. Don’t worry if you miss a shot though, there will be another squirrel along very soon.

Paul was a great host for the day. He is an experienced and knowledgeable photographer who provides guidance and tips along the way. His familiarity with the squirrels and their routines means he is able to direct you to where they might go next and suggest the shots you might get there.

All in all, this was a fantastic experience which I would highly recommend. Shame the drive is so long, otherwise, I would be back next week!!

A superb day I bought a day with Paul at his hides as a Christmas present for my husband. We’ve photographed wildlife all over the world, but never seen a red squirrel up close, nor well enough to photograph. I was hoping that this day in Paul’s hides (the woodland and the pool hide) would be a good day, but it wasn’t – it was superb!!
I was so thrilled to constantly see around 8-10 squirrels coming a going, and they were obviously very habituated to Paul, who had placed logs etc in suitable places then tempted them with nuts and seeds. It really worked, and we came away with hundreds of shots. I’d recommend going for time in both hides as, whilst very close to each other, they both offer quite different photographic opportunities. Paul was a very good host, and always tried to give the best experience possible. Highly recommended.

Red Squiell Day 4 of us spent a day with Paul at his Red Squirrel hide, first class communication throughout, met him at the agreed location for a short drive to the hide. The first Squirrel arrived as Paul was putting out food, hard to say how many were there as they were running about all over the place. Dark grey day but cant be helped, Paul was on hand throughout the day with advice and tips, we came away with some lovely images and an experience which we will be repeating ( If he will have us back, the noisey four ! ) 🙂
Thanks Paul for a great day, would reccomend and already have done

Red squirrels from all directions! I spent a day with Paul Fowlie at his red squirrel hides near Hawes. I have visited these hides before, but could not believe how many squirrels there were rushing about and busying themselves finding Paul’s nuts and seeds on this occasion. The squirrels were in obvious good health, with shiny coats, and their cute winter ear tufts. Paul has set up various places for them to perch on, to give a nice variety of opportunities for shots, as well as a set-up to catch them jumping. The reflection pool remains my favourite, but I found the day out with opportunities at all three parts of the woodland was a much nicer experience than just staying in one hide. I will certainly look forward to a return visit.

Wonderful Red Squirrel Experience! I spent a very enjoyable day in Paul’s Reflection Pool Red Squirrel hide on Sunday. The site is beautifully set up to provide great photographic opportunities with the squirrels, while not affecting their natural behaviour, I’ve never used a reflection pool hide before so Paul’s help and guidance on the day was invaluable, especially as we were blessed with less than ideal weather conditions!

However, I can safely say that the photos I’ve taken are some of my favourites I’ve ever taken, and so far I’ve only worked through a fraction of the 4 and a half memory cards I filled.

The squirrels were around (and even on) the hide pretty much constantly while we were there – one particularly bold individual took to running across the front of the hide in front of us, and even paused in front of us a couple of times trying to work out what we were doing. There’s no shortage of woodland birds visiting the pool as well – I managed my first ever close up shot of a Coal Tit which I’ve been trying for in my own garden for 3 years now without success!

I’ll definitely be returning to the Red Squirrel hides in the future!

Red Squirrel Photography Opportunity Having previously gone with Paul Fowlie to photograph Stags in the Highlands of Scotland I was now keen to avail of his new Red Squirrel Hides in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It turned out to be an amazing experience. I photographed red squirrels on logs, tree branches, moss covered walls and amazingly at a wonderful reflection pool. Under Paul’s guidance i also managed to capture some red squirrel jumping shots. I was well pleased. I promised to book another half day if I can get red squirrels in the snow. Paul is an award winning photographer and i found his guidance invaluable. Thanks Paul for a great time.