Plans for homemade Parabolic mic and homemade preamp??

[Guest Anonymous]

I just got a Sharp MD-MT190W for recording bird and nature sounds. Currently, I'm using a cheapo Audio Technica ATR55 "shotgun" mic made for video cameras. I'd like to upgrade to a parabolic mic, but there's no way that I can or will afford something like a Telinga parabolic setup.

Does anybody on this forum have experience building a parabolic mic and/or a preamp? Neither looks all that tough, but I'd like input from any that have actually done it.

What configuration of preamp works best for nature recording?

Does the 'dish' for a parabolic mic really have to be a parabola, or would 1/2 sphere work OK? What of a punch bowl or something similar?

Should the area *imediately* behind the mic be drilled out or unblemished with the mic offset for best reception? I notice that 2 popular web plans for homemade parabolic mics have the rod that holds the mic coming right through the area that supposedly causes the most concentration of sound and best reflection. Would it be worthwhile to offset the mic like on some satellite dishes?

Thanks in advance