WHAT IS A CAPERCAILLIE LEK?

The capercaillie is a mysterious and majestic forest bird that has its mating season in April.

This ritual is called 'lek' and this is where the roosters in the area meet to measure their strengths against each other to convince the hens of who's the strongest one and by that the one who gets to mate.
It's all up to the hens to decide and when they do, all of the other roosters will fight to win them over.

THE TOUR

In the evening around 19.00 the roosters fly in around the lekking site for their night roost.
This is heard loudly through the forest and can't be missed.
By this time you're already inside of your hide relaxing and enjoying the tranquility.
The night goes by and in the early morning hours a belching sound is heard followed by a gulp and a hiss.
You can perceive the sound of wings being dragged along the ground and you can distinguish the capercaillie's stretched neck and fanned tail in the dark. The rooster is patrolling his territory, defending it against his opponents and displays for the hens.
This show can go on for hours or come and go.
When the hens visit the arena to choose the main rooster and mate the lek intensifies.

It's of great importance to have realistic expectations when you join the capercaillie lek.
The capercaillie is very sensitive to all kinds of disturbance such as weather, wind, sound and movement.
A seemingly small disturbance can break an entire lek so it is very important for you to respect this.
It takes patience when it comes to the capercaillie, we can't promise that you will get to see one during your stay in the hide.
We recommend two sessions in a row for the best chance to experience this majestic bird.

We work all the time to give you the absolute best conditions possible for a successful lek and we use portable hides that we place strategically according to the sites structure.

To relax in your sleeping bag inside your hide and hear the roosters take place at their night roost, to fall asleep to the song of the old growth forest and to wake up to the mysterious sounds of this majestic forest bird is a magical experience.
The ones who have experience the capercaillie display will keep that memory forever.
 

The tour starts at 16:00 and closes around 12.00 the next day.
You will step into your hide before 17.00 and not go out until the last rooster has left the day after,
this is usually around 11.00-12.00

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DAY I

We meet 16:00 at an agreed place and go out in the forest together.
At 17.00 it's time to get into your hide, get ready for the morning and have some supper.

DAY II
From 04.00 and further it's time to listen and scout for the capercaillies.
A lek can last a whole morning or come and go.
Have some breakfast when given the opportunity, relax and enjoy the nature surrounding you.
At 12.00 ≈ it's time to leave the hide as long as there's no lekking roosters left in the area.

The tour closes.
 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMBINE THE CAPERCAILLIE AND BLACK GROUSE LEK?

Many of our guests comes to see both the capercaillie and black grouse lek in one visit.

Contact us if you want us to put together a package tour for you.