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I would strongly support Alan in his comments
below. We visited a hide at a bird lake in South Eyre Peninsular, SA, last
September. It was facing over a huge sheet of water studded with various water
fowl, all of which could be easily seen from walking around the lake. However
the other side of the road not overlooked by the hide, had the most interesting
birds on it, Cape Barren Geese, herons, egrets, various waders etc.. This hide
was built with a seat for 3; when sitting on it you faced the wall above a
narrow slit which had a shelf attached to its lower lip. One was not able to
rest one's elbows or hands on this and look out using 'bins, one also couldn't
kneel and look out. It was extremely well built but quite useless - must have
cost hundreds of dollars. It's only use was to shelter one from wind, rain or
sun.
Some places do need hides but perhaps as Alan says,
more like a shelter and sitting spot than a hide as usually Australian
birds are not greatly worried by humans viewing them (except for crakes etc).
Overseas, ie: Mai Po in Hong Kong, the UK, wetlands, hides may be essential but
do need to be well placed by people who fully understand how they are to be
used.
Gluepot Reserve in SA had in September last
year put up the first of its intended series of hides overlooking water
troughs, well built with roof insulation against the heat, and providing a
comfortable viewing platform for those tired of trudging through the mallee. And
close enough to the water trough for people to get good photos of birds bathing
and drinking.
Yes encourage authorities to maintain the habitat
well, use vegetation as screens in suitable places and perhaps put in a few
seats in the shade.
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