SOME HIGHLIGHTS

  • Often 20 – 30 black grouse males at the lekking site
  • Every photographer has its own tent hide
  • Possibility to photograph from ground level from the hide
  • The Black grouse displays 15-25 meters from the hide
  • You stay overnight in a comfortable cabin with proper beds

The sun is setting as we walk out onto the mire to take our seats in the comfortable black grouse hide. Here, the black grouse hide concept has been taken a step further: a warm, spacious and comfortable cabin has been built, while still offering a front-row view of the lek. The spring evening’s bird concert provides atmospheric song from thrushes and robins, and a few of the lekking black grouse males bubble and hiss during a brief evening display some distance away.

During the short spring night, the sounds of nature surround us outside. Perhaps you fall asleep to the call of a Tengmalm’s owl and wake to the reveille of cranes. Even before the morning light arrives, the black grouse lek acts as an alarm clock just 25 metres away. From photo openings and windows, you can enjoy one of Scandinavia’s classic bird spectacles – the black grouse lek at close range.

The hide is 6 metres long and 3 metres deep, equipped with four beds, comfortable armchairs, a dry toilet and a paraffin heater. Here you spend the evening and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay with fine views over the grouse mire. Before dawn, you step outside and walk some 30 metres along a boardwalk to individual tent hides placed on wooden platforms right next to the lekking area. Each person sits alone in a hide, and there are four platforms with hides.

Here on the mire, in the vast forests of Västmanland, between 20 and 30 black grouse males gather to lek daily. During the “hen week” – usually longer than just a single week – activity is particularly intense, as the barred females move quietly among the bubbling, glossy-black males. Exceptional photographic opportunities are offered from very close range, with the lek typically taking place just 15–25 metres from the hides.

Price
$350 per day

Included in the price
See information below on whats included in the price.

Dates
1st April – 15th May
See available dates below

BOOK THE HIDE

More information

  • THE HIDE
    The overnight cabin is 6 metres long and 3 metres deep, and is equipped with four beds, comfortable armchairs, a dry toilet and a paraffin heater. Here you spend the evening and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay with fine views over the grouse mire. Before dawn, you step outside and walk some 30 metres along a boardwalk to the individual tent hides, which are placed on wooden platforms right next to the lekking area. Each person sits alone in a hide, and there are four platforms with hides.

    Inside the hide there are slippers, sheepskins and sleeping mats. A gas stove is available in the cabin if you wish to boil water for tea or coffee.

  • WHERE
    The black grouse hide is located on a mire in a forest in the Bergslagen region of Västmanland, in the Svartådalen valley. The forest surrounding the mire is crossed only by winding gravel roads, with no major traffic nearby. The risk of human disturbance is minimal here, and the area is rich in birds and wildlife.

  • HOW?
    We will guide you out to the hide. It is about a 400-metre walk from the road, mostly along wooden boardwalks. You arrive at the hide around 6:00 pm and normally remain there until about 9:00 am the following morning, or until the black grouse lek has finished.

  • PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
    The focus is on bird photography. Since you will be photographing from specially designed hides, it is recommended to bring a telephoto lens with a focal length of 300–400 mm, although 500 mm also works very well.
    If you have a shorter telephoto or a zoom lens, you can use a teleconverter to increase the focal length.

    If you have  two camera bodies, it is recommended to bring both.

    You must bring your own tripod.

  • OTHER EQUIPMENT
    Binoculars, headlamp, warm clothing, rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots. The bog can be very wet. A sleeping bag and preferably a cotton duvet cover (this can increase the temperature in the sleeping bag by at least 5°C).

    Water bottle, thermos, and your own packed food sufficient for the entire stay.

  • CLOTHING
    Night and early morning temperatures during spring in Västmanland often hover around zero and can sometimes drop several degrees below. Sturdy, warm field clothing is a must—preferably layered so you can adjust to the temperature. Boots or waterproof hiking shoes are recommended for your feet.

BOOK THE HIDE

  • ACCESSIBILITY
    The hide experience is not physically demanding; however, you will need to walk short distances, possibly on wet ground.

  • INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
    One spot in the hide, guiding to the hide (NOTE: no transportation. You are expected to make your own way home from the hide after the session), and VAT.

  • NOT INCLUDED  IN THE PRICE
    Travel to and from the hide, meals, insurance, cancellation protection, and personal items.

  • MEETING POINT
    Exact place and time will be announced later.

  • PAYMENT TERMS
    The booking fee is to be paid by invoice upon registration.

    Currency used for payment from non Scandinavian (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland) residents will be US dollars.

  • PASSPORT AND VISA
    EU citizens can enter Sweden with out visa but please bring your passport.

    If you’re not a citizen of any EU country, please check with you nearest Swedish embassy which rules apply for you regarding visa and entrance to Sweden.

  • INSURANCE
    Contact your insurance company about travel insurance and cancellation insurance. We always recommend travel insurance that covers medical transports both at the destination and for transport home.

  • HEALTH
    The hide session is not physically demanding.

    Please check with your doctor about vaccinations and other health issues.

  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
    Terms and conditions

Booking of photo hide – Black grouse

Please note: Once you have completed your booking, you should immediately receive a confirmation email from us.
If you do not receive this email, please contact us by phone/WhatsApp at +46 (0)705 89 13 18.

All correspondence will be conducted via email unless otherwise specified by the customer.

Read the terms and conditions here.*

I hereby give permission to Wild Nature Photo Adventures to use my email address for sending information about the company’s trips and workshops. *