Goshawk photography

September – April

Goshawk photography

September – April

When: September – April

Price: 2.850 SEK/ person

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk photography

The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is not a rare bird in Sweden but a very shy raptor that is difficult to get close to. We have created a “Goshawk restaurant” where Goshawks come to feed on a regular basis. Here we have built a comfortable photo-hide where 3 persons can sit and study/ film or photograph the Goshawks from very close range. The adult Goshawk is a beautiful raptor with its finely barred, silver-white chest and dark, ash-grey upperparts. It is only 20 meters away from you and it is important that you move your camera very slowly as you take your first pictures. You´ve probably never been this close to a Goshawk before.

The hide stands in a little glade in the pine forest. It is within a Goshawk territory so the birds come to feed regularly. The Goshawks might not be quite as shy as an Eagle but it is still very important that you sit quietly and move soundless in the hide. The hide offers excellent photo-opportunities at very close range. We feed them on a platform so you get them in ”eye-height”, there are several perches for the Hawks next to the platform and within 20-30 meters from the hide, most of them rather low with a dark background. We feed the Goshawks natural prey like birds and small mammals. There is a bird bath on a built-up table in front of the hide, to attract birds during the non-frozen season. In wintertime we feed them birdseeds so you have a lively scene in front of you. Bullfinches, Willow Tits, Crested Tits and Yellowhammers are examples of passerines that appear.

The hide is well insulated to keep the cold outside and the heat in. There´s a soundless and odour-free gas heater that you light on arrival to get the hide warmed up. Despite minus 10-20° C outside in winter it easily gets +20 or more inside. You sit in comfortable easy arm-chairs with a soft sheep-skin-rug on. During quiet periods you can enjoy reading notes from previous visitors in the logbook.

Northern Goshawk photography

The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is not a rare bird in Sweden but a very shy raptor that is difficult to get close to. We have created a “Goshawk restaurant” where Goshawks come to feed on a regular basis. Here we have built a comfortable photo-hide where 3 persons can sit and study/ film or photograph the Goshawks from very close range. The adult Goshawk is a beautiful raptor with its finely barred, silver-white chest and dark, ash-grey upperparts. It is only 20 meters away from you and it is important that you move your camera very slowly as you take your first pictures. You´ve probably never been this close to a Goshawk before.

The hide stands in a little glade in the pine forest. It is within a Goshawk territory so the birds come to feed regularly. The Goshawks might not be quite as shy as an Eagle but it is still very important that you sit quietly and move soundless in the hide. The hide offers excellent photo-opportunities at very close range. We feed them on a platform so you get them in ”eye-height”, there are several perches for the Hawks next to the platform and within 20-30 meters from the hide, most of them rather low with a dark background. We feed the Goshawks natural prey like birds and small mammals. There is a bird bath on a built-up table in front of the hide, to attract birds during the non-frozen season. In wintertime we feed them birdseeds so you have a lively scene in front of you. Bullfinches, Willow Tits, Crested Tits and Yellowhammers are examples of passerines that appear.

The hide is well insulated to keep the cold outside and the heat in. There´s a soundless and odour-free gas heater that you light on arrival to get the hide warmed up. Despite minus 10-20° C outside in winter it easily gets +20 or more inside. You sit in comfortable easy arm-chairs with a soft sheep-skin-rug on. During quiet periods you can enjoy reading notes from previous visitors in the logbook.

Practical info

Season: September – April

Maximum 3 persons.

We guide you to the hide. You are expected to find your way back home from the hide on your own after the session ends.

The hide is a ”no shoes-area” (to avoid snow and water) with warm, woolen slippers to use inside. The hide is equipped with comfortable chairs, a loo, a heater, candles, warm blankets, sheepskins and a logbook to read and write in. Recommended lenses: 300-500 mm. The view from the hide is limited, since it is standing in a small clearing surrounded by forest. The birds are pretty close if they are in view. A zoom-lense gives you more flexibility. It’s not a bad idea to bring both.

To bring: Camera, tripod-heads/ Gimbal (no use for tripod), binoculars, flashlight/ headlight (essential), personal water bottle, warm clothes, waterproof boots. Bring your own packed lunch to last the entire day. A gas stove is available for making tea and coffee.

Price

2.850 SEK/person & session

When? How? For whom?

We guide you out to the hide. Walking distance is about 200 meters. We normally arrive at the break of dawn and it’s usually a good idea to sit throughout the day til dusk. Goshawks can feed several times a day and frequently in afternoons. Although the Goshawks are not as sensitive as many other raptors and here it is ok to leave when you like. For the dedicated photographer or for the those who want to experience these beautiful birds of prey. The hide is designed for a maximum of 3 persons.

Where?

The Goshawk hide stands by a clearing in the pine forest of the Black River Valley in Västmanland, central Sweden. This is privately owned land and we collaborate with the land owner and local hunters so the risk for human disturbance is very little. There is also a rich wildlife in the area with Moose, Wild boar, Roe Deer and Lynx.

How to get a good session!

It’s important how YOU behave!

Be aware that your own behaviour is crucial for the outcome of the session. Slow movements with the camera, no talking, just whisper, and the patience to wait for the first Goshawk to start eating are good advice. The Goshawks are not quite as touchy as Eagles, but it´s still very important to be still and quiet during the time spent in the hide.

Did you know that...

the Northern Goshawk is a well distributed raptor in Sweden and the breeding population is estimated to 7.600 pairs. Young Goshawks often migrate to urban areas for the winter, where they can find an abundance of prey like ducks, pigeons and corvids. The adults however normally stay all year around in their territory. In the forest they prey on medium sized birds like Grouse, Jays but also Squirrels.

The Goshawk is a very powerful and dominant raptor that can kill other birds of prey in the neighbourhood, even bigger than themselves, like Honey Buzzards for instance. The Goshawks can breed a long time in the same territory and they normally have several nests to alter between. Empty Goshawk nests can be used by other raptors and Owls, like Great Grey and Ural Owl. A Goshawk nest is usually built very high up in a fur tree and since it´s build on year after year, they can become really big and almost be as big as Eagle nests.

Juvenile or adult hawk?

It is not difficult to separate juvenile and adult Goshawks. The young birds are boldly streaked on a buffish ground colour below and brown with pale scales on the back. The adults are almost silvery white with a fine, dark barring below and dark ashy grey above. Simply a beautiful bird of prey. Welcome to enjoy it!