SOME HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wild Goshawks at close range
  • Several Goshawks visit the hide area
  • Nice sticks for the birds to perch on are strategically placed
  • A maximum of only TWO photographers in the hide

The Northern Goshawk is not rare in Sweden, but it lives a secretive life deep in the forest and is normally very difficult to approach. We have created a “Goshawk restaurant” — a feeding site where goshawks come to eat during the winter. Here we have built a comfortable photo hide with three photo openings, where up to two people can sit and photograph these majestic birds at close range.
The adult goshawk is a striking bird, with a finely barred silver-grey underside and a dark graphite-grey back. The bird often lands just 20 meters away, and you’ll need to move your camera very carefully as you take your first shots in the soft light of dawn. You have never been this close to a wild goshawk before.

Here, in a forest clearing in Västmanland, the goshawk lands to feed — offering first-class photo opportunities from a remarkably short distance. The food is placed on a platform, giving you the hawk at eye level. Several perches are positioned around the feeding site, about 20 meters from the hide. We feed the hawks with wild game and birds to ensure the most natural-looking images.
In front of the hide there is also a large water bath and a small-bird feeding station, which can provide delightful photo opportunities. During the ice-free season, you may capture small birds reflected beautifully in the still water.

The hide is insulated and equipped with a silent, odor-free gas heater. Even when the temperature drops far below freezing outside, it remains a comfortable +15–20°C inside. You sit on sheepskin-padded chairs, and in the logbook you can read about previous visitors sightings.

Price
$320 per day

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

Dates
November – March
See available dates below

More information

  • THE HIDE
    The hide is built from wood and has insulated walls, floor, and roof. It is equipped with a silent, odor-free gas heater, keeping the temperature comfortably at +15–20°C even when it’s many degrees below freezing outside. You sit comfortably on sheepskin-covered chairs.
    Your camera and tripod head can be mounted on the window ledge, where bolts and nuts in the correct sizes (¼ inch or ⅜ inch) are provided.
    Inside the hide, you’ll also find slippers, lanterns with tealights, a logbook, and soft sheepskins. There’s a small gas stove available if you wish to boil water for tea or coffee.
  • WHERE
    The goshawk hide is located in a forest clearing in the Bergslagen region of Västmanland, in the Svartådalen valley. The forest surrounding the clearing 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. Mammals such as wild boar, elk, roe deer, and lynx also inhabit the area.
  • HOW
    We will guide you to the hide. It’s about a 200-meter walk from the small forest road. You arrive before dawn (about an hour before sunrise) and normally stay until dusk in order not to disturb the birds.

  • 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 head, preferably a gimbal type, which you attach to the bench in the hide.

  • OTHER EQUIPMENT
    Binoculars, torch, water bottle, flask/thermos, food and snacks for the day.

  • CLOTHING
    During winter in Västmanland, temperatures often drop below zero and can reach around –25 °C. Sturdy winter clothing and winter boots (preferably waterproof) are recommended. The hides are heated.

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

  • 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 – Goshawk

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. *