Autumn and winter is my favourite time to get out with the camera, and this one started with a proper “act now” moment. I spotted Redwings in the front garden absolutely chomping through holly berries, but they were right up at the top of the bush… and of course we’ve got a slope to deal with. I didn’t want that classic “shooting up their nostrils” look, so the plan was simple: get eye level. That meant building a scaffolding tower and sticking my V7 hide on top so I could shoot across, not up. I talk you through the whole process—dragging the scaffold down (Facebook Marketplace special), sorting the platform, adding a bit of netting just to dull the structure down, and then leaving it up for days so the birds can get used to it. When I finally got in, the weather had been shocking, but the setup had held up even through proper wind. I ended up running the 500mm prime on a tripod (even though a zoom is easier in tight hides), and while it’s still a waiting game, getting that extra height made a massive difference. The big takeaway: if you see an opportunity—especially with winter migrants—don’t hang about, because those berries will be gone like a plague of locusts.