Photograph and experience the impressive courtship display of the capercaillie, the shyest of all grouse species. Even though this species is very difficult to get in front of the lens. our lekking site has proven itself year after year. Our hides are spread out over the lekking site, giving plenty of opportunities to photograph the birds in different settings and light directions.   

 

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Photographing capercaillie

The male capercaillie gather at the display area already in the evening. Here they sit in the trees and keep a close eye on the area. If the birds have not spotted any danger, they will start their display between +/- 02:00 and 04:00. The display normally lasts until around 10:00 but can last all the way until 13:00. The females arrive around 05:00 at the display area and gather in the territory of the most dominant male.

 

You will be brought to your photo hides between 18:00 and 19:00. Here you will spend the night until you get woken up by the males displaying on the ground. The display is for a large part a vocal play. This means that the males are constantly listening to the sounds coming from the surroundings. It is very important that you are quite! Also sudden movements with the camera can scare them off! To limit the amount of sound and movement, all camera gear is set up in the evening already, before the birds arrive. Additionally, we advise you to bring a thick warm sweater for in the hide. Jackets can make too much noise when moving. The hides are waterproof, so there is no need for a waterproof layer. The sweater will do the job perfectly. 

 

The hides

On the capercaillie lek we work with tents. The birds can change where they display on the lek. Therefor it is important to be able to easily move the hides if needed. The tents have enough space to sleep in and can have up to 3 tripods up at the same time. There are in total 9 openings to photograph from, covering almost the complete 360 degrees. There are no toilets in the hides. You will have to bring a pee bottle with you. For the ladies, we advise to use a "Travel John" urinal. 

 

Getting to the hides

Depending on the amount of snow, it takes about a 15 minute hike to lek. We have to walk slightly uphill and have to cross a small bog. Rubber boots will come in handy. 

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Itinerary

• Day 1. Pick up at Oslo Gardermoen airport at 14:00. The guide will bring you to your accommodation and will give you a short introduction for the coming days. Dinner is at 17:00 and is included in the price. After dinner you will be brought to the lek where you will spend the night in the hide. 

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• Day 2 & 3. In the early morning you will photograph the capercaillie. After the lekking is done, you will be picked up by the guide. You have to stay in the hide until the guide is on the lek, to make sure that the birds do not become afraid of the hides. Back at the accommodation you eat breakfast, back up your images of the morning, catch some sleep or photograph around the accommodation. There are bird feeders next to the apartments and the Rena River is just a few hundred meters away. Here you can find whooper swans, golden eyes, cranes, goosanders and dippers. Dinner is served at 17:00. After dinner it is time to head out again to the capercaillie lek. 

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• Day 4. You will have the last photo session on the lek. After breakfast you will be brought back to Oslo Gardermoen airport for you flight home. Drop off time is at 14:00.

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Fill in the booking form.

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Or contact us for inquiries for other dates and other questions.