Capercaillie Hide

Romania

Location and installation year

This hide is located in a Western Capercaillie lekking area near the top of the Hargita Mountain in Transylvania. It was installed in August 2018. This is located in a mature forest.

Access

Variable, depending on the snow conditions. Normally we try to drive clients within 500 meter of the hide. From here we walking to the hide. Occasionally up to 1,5 kilometer walking is required but rarely.

Size and style

It is 300 cm wide, 250 cm long and 200 cm high. It has windows to three directions. The window have no glass, only camouflage net. It is comfortable for up to 2 photographers.

Comfort and accessories

Sleeping matress and sleeping bag (comfortable to -15C)
Small heater
Shelf

Regulation

In order to use this hide photographers must overnight in the hide. This hide must be entered latest by 2 hours before dusk. The Western Capercaillie males arrive to the lekking area in the evening. The photo session is from dawn to maximum 10:00 when the birds walking around the lekking area. One of our guide will accompany you in this hide and advise on the regulations to have the maximum chance of photographing these shy birds. Depending on where the main lekking activity is happening, we either use this hide for photography or just serves as a sleeping cabin and we use portable hides for the morning photography nearby.

Recommended Photo Equipment

The distance to the birds is variable but ranges from 10-50 meter. All sorts of lenses are recommended in the range of 200-500 mm. A larger lens (500mm) is recommended and also extenders.