WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE
EXPERIENCE THE ANCIENT BLACK GROUSE LEK ON THE VAST MIRE!
WHAT IS A BLACK GROUSE LEK?
The black grouse is a charming bird with a characteristic sound and look, that has its mating season in April.
This ritual is called 'lek' and its where the cocks display, assert their dominance
and defend their territory to impress the hens and by that be able to mate.
THE TOUR
The mire, where the black grouse display, is rich in wildlife and it's one of our absolute favourite places.
During our hike towards the hides you will notice the magic and tranquility this place holds.
At the lek site you will have plenty of time to unpack and get ready for the next morning.
The guide will eventually head back and you can have supper while watching the sun set to the callings
of the whooper swans and later fall asleep to the song of the pygmy owls.
In the early morning hours a bubbling sound will wake you up and when you peek through the window you can distinguish the silhuettes of the black grouse outside of your hide, patrolling the frosty mire.
The sound of the males is best described as a cooing followed by a hissing.
The arena is right outside your doorstep and that's where the show will play out.
Every black grouse have one thing in mind and that's to defend their territory and impress the hens.
The display can go on for hours with shorter breaks and it includes fanned tails,
characteristic sounds, leaps of air, kicking, flapping and picking at their rivals.
When the hens join the lek to choose their mate it all intensifies.
Around 09.00 the lek has come to an end and as long as the arena stays empty you can get out of your hide.
The tour starts at 17.00 and closes around 11.00 the next day.
This is really something extra to be able to experience and its a great tour for wildlife photographers.
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DAY I
We meet 17.00 at an agreed place and head towards the mire.
We'll hike to the hides where you'll be spending the night and the guide heads back.
DAY II
From 04.00 and further it's time to get ready for the black grouse lek.
Have some breakfast when given the opportunity, relax and enjoy.
At 09.00 ≈ you can get out of your hide as long as there's no lekking cocks left in the area
and we'll meet back at the cars at 11.00≈
The tour closes.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMBINE THE BLACK GROUSE AND CAPERCAILLIE LEK?
Many of our guests comes to see both the black grouse and capercaillie lek in one visit.
Contact us if you want us to put together a package tour for you.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Guide to the black grouse arena
Overnight stay in photo hide
Coffee/tea, supper and breakfast
Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
PAYMENT METHOD
You will receive an invoice via email which must be paid no later than 14 days​ before arrival.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation 14 days or more before the start date gives 100% refund. Cancellation less than 14 days before the start date does not give a refund.
PRICE: 2,850 SEK
ACCOMODATION: Portable hide
WHEN: 6 April - 29 April
WHERE: Västmanland, Sweden
MEETING PLACE: Skinnskatteberg
TIME: 17:00-11:00≈
PARTICIPANTS: 1-3
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE HERE!
MORE INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATION
Overnight stay in a strategically placed photo hide on the black grouse lek site.
FOOD
Coffee/tea, supper and breakfast.
BRING WITH YOU
Rubber boots with high shaft is a must since we will be walking on the mire,
good shoes, warm clothes and change, hygiene items, mobile phone, camera, binoculars and water bottle.
OTHER ANIMALS IN THE AREA
Crane, whooper swan, pygmy owl, ural owl, goshawk, lynx and fox.
OTHER INFORMATION
We will contact you the days before your booked trip to arrange meeting places and other details.
Since it is wild animals we work with, small changes can be made in the planning,
all to make your experience as good as possible.
We work all the time to ensure that the conditions are the best.
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