I spent the morning at Staffordshire Wildlife Hides – Teddesley Park in Staffordshire. This is the first visit to the Little Owl hide I’ve been on so far.
Quick Overview
📍 Location: Teddesley Park, Staffordshire
🌿 Habitat Type: Open field
🎯 Target Species: Little Owls
📅 Best Season: May to July
🕒 Best Time of Day: Morning or afternoon
💰 Cost: £100 each
📅 Booking Required: Yes
👥 Max Photographers: 2
🔗 Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555918310793
What Makes This Hide Unique?
The Little Owl hide is set up in a wild meadow next to an oak tree that the Little Owls regularly nest in and breed. The hide is comfortable for 2 people, although this is the more basic hide as it is only open for a few months during the breeding season. There are two hides next to each so 4 people can photograph the owls.
Each hide can seat 2 people with room for your gear. Gimbal bases are provided for both spaces. The hide is located within the private grounds of Teddesley Park
Setup & Shooting Conditions
Distance to Subjects
- Minimum focal length: 300mm
- Ideal focal length: 400mm to 600mm
- Little owls. Although Jackdaws have started to come and steal the meal worms as well. There are Skylarks about but they don’t come to the perches.
Background Quality
- Clean / natural / busy? The background is mainly the oak tree they live in.
- Artificial perches? The perches are made old fences and gates.
Species You Can Expect
Regular Sightings
- Little Owls
- Jackdaws
- Other small birds may fly through
My Experience
- What surprised you?
How busy the owls were, and at the time I went the chicks hadn’t fledged. - What frustrated you?
Nothing really, should maybe have swapped my prime 300mm to the 180-600mm for closer shots. - Did the activity match expectations? Yes, the owls were busy, I think I took 4000+ photos.
- Was it worth the price?
Yes it was worth the price, £100 per person for 4 hours.
Camera Settings & Gear I Used
Body: Nikon Z8
Lens: Nikon Nikkor 300mm
Support (tripod/beanbag): Gimbal head was my own & the bases are provided
Typical Settings I use:
- Shutter speed: Varies depending on static or flight shots
- Aperture: F6.3
- ISO range: 320-640
Who Is This Hide Best For?
✔ Beginners
✔ Advanced wildlife photographers
✔ Behaviour shooters
✖ Landscape photographers
✖ Portrait shooters
Tips If You’re Visiting
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early to meet Tim so he can take you to the hide.
- Bring camera & lenses, spare batteries, warm clothes for winter, a drink.
- Stay in the hide if the owls are on the perches. You are allowed to put more mealworms out before 10am.
- Check start times on the email/message you receive before arrival.
Final Verdict – Would I Return?
- Is it worth the money?
Yes worth the money, I would return when owls are fledged. - Is it worth travelling for?
It is about 2hrs for me from West Yorkshire, but it is local to my Father so I stayed nearby in the Rugeley Premier Inn. - Would you recommend it?
Yes.
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