2 Day Capercaillie Lekk Multi-day tour

Our partner: Naturguide Tiveden

Description

In the old forests the ancient courtship of the capercaillie takes place. It is a unique display of this our biggest forest hens courting rites which includes patience and also great action. Dancing, odd sounds and fights during the early Scandinavian morning. The most magnificient and mystic courtship ceremony among the forest hens. It takes time, absolute silence and patience to witness this courting. The capercaillie is extremely watchful and as participant you have to show consideration and responsibility not to disturb the birds or other guests..

The courtship takes place during early morning and goes on during forenoon. As the males comes in to the courtship area early in the evening before you will be waiting in complete silence during the evening and night while staying overnight in the hide. During the evening you will hear the males advancing the courtship area in the surrounding trees while making some of their typical sounds.

All the precautions are well worth and something to enjoy when you in the morning are able to see and hear the males magnificient display. This will most surely be the first but not the last time you will enjoy this ritual together with the birds and the patience.

This includes

We have comfortable hides where you sleep over comfortably in a warm sleeping bag and photograph well from. You will get information about the capercaillie, living conditions and habitat as well as which precautions you have to take during the activity. Coffee, tea and food included (there are veg alternative of course). Warm sleeping bag and blankets included.

Time: 2 overnight stays at the hide
Start: 15:00 until 10:00 the day after. You meet up the afternoon before for info and we head out to the hides in the evening to experience the courtship in the early morning to follow
Place: The guided tours takes place in Tiveden
Price: 3 750 SEK/person
Participants: Max 4 persons

Meeting place

The guided tours takes place in Tiveden situated between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Meeting place is at gas station OK/Q8 in Laxå, next to highway E20. From Karlsborg: 55 km. From Askersund: 30 km. From Örebro: 55 km. There is a train station in Laxå. Transfer from train and airports are possible. All transfer during the stay is included.

Dates available for booking

10th of April 2020 until 24th of April 2020

What´s Included

Customized hides - for capercaillie individual (there is one 2-person hide),

Comfy and thick mattress to sleep on

Warm sleeping bag (Winter type w down)

Thick woolen blanket

Pillow

Brunch x 2

Sandwiches for the overnight stay

Drinks and coffee/tea

What to bring

You need to bring:

Thermos (for coffee or tea)

Cup

A food container to put sandwiches in

Headlamp (with green light)

Base layer clothing - preferably merino wool

Woolen socks - 3 pairs

Woolen hat

Woolen sweater or warm sweater (mid layer)

Warm pants

Wool sweater or fleece sweater

Finger gloves, woolen

Balaclava (VERY IMPORTANT AS THIS KEEPS YOUR FACE COVERED WHICH HELPS HIDING YOU FROM THE BIRDS CAREFUL EYES)

Duvet cover

Pillow cover

Ear plugs (if someone snors)

Back pack (appr. 35 liters, for the hike, to bring clothing and food)

Rubber boots or high waterproof boots

Camera

Film camera

Tripod

Small tripod

Lenses

Batteries

Memory card

Additional camera gear

Binoculars

Spotting scope or hand binoculars

A pee bootle, preferably with big and wide opening

Additional information

It is very important to have warm clothing and gear that makes no or very little sound/noise

To describe: A modern Shell jacket or a rip stop sweater makes noises when it touches itself or other things. Use a thick and big woolen sweater or a jacket in soft and silent material over your clothing to be as silent as possible.

You will have to be very silent and still during long times

Itinerary

DAY 1
Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 1
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Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 1

Day 1  

15:00

Meeting up at OK/Q8 Laxå  

15:30-17:00  

Preparations at the birding pavillion (instructions, expectations, food)  

17:00-17:30

Walk, 1 km, to the capercaillie hides 

17:30-10:00(the following morning)  

Overnight stay in the hide for watching/photographing

DAY 2
Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 2
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Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 2

Day 2

- 10:00 

Watching/photographing from the hide 

10:00-10:30

Walk back to the birding pavillion 

10:30-12:00

Brunch 

12:00-16:00

Day rest

16:00-17:00

Meet up and preparations for the overnight stay 

17:00-17:30

Walk to the capercaillie hides 

17:30-10:00 (the following morning) 

Overnight stay, watching/photographing from the hide

DAY 3
Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 3
More details

Capercaillie lekk 2 days - Day 3

Day 3

- 10:00  

Watching/photographing from the hide  

10:00-10:30 

Walk back to the birding pavillion  

10:30-12:00

Brunch  

12:00 

The end of the experience