Wild Poland: Bison and Raptors

From 2012 until 2016 I led an annual winter wildlife photo-tour to the forests and meadows of eastern Poland - Bialowieza - lowland Europe's largest remaining primaeval forest to photograph wild herds of bison and raptors including, amongst others, white-tailed eagles. Well, due to growing interest, I am thrilled to be making a return to this incredible destination!

This specific region is one of the most wildlife-rich sites in Europe and on this 7-day all-inclusive tour, we will photograph the iconic European bison and spend time in heated hides in the hope of capturing white-tailed eagle, goshawk, fox and, perhaps, even wolf! 

The group will be split in two and while one waits patiently in a hide for raptors to appear, the other will be in a 4WD on the hunt for Europe's largest land mammal - bison. Having been made extinct in 1917, bison were reintroduced in 1929 and now, on the Polish side, there are approximately 500 individuals. Each winter in large meadows and forest clearings, their feeding is supplemented and with our experienced guide's expert knowledge, we are sure to get some amazing pictures of this huge animal in their natural environment.

Two full days will be spent tracking and, hopefully, photograhing bison and three in hides for white-tailed and golden eagle, goshawk, buzzard and forest birds such as woodpeckers (all of Europe's species are found here), hawfinch, greenfinch, tits and siskin. Bialowieza is a truly wild area and while waiting for raptors, it is not at all unusual to have other visitors, too, including pine marten, fox, wild boar, deer, and even wolf!  

If I have whetted your appetite sufficiently, then please, do read on!

BISON
Although marginally taller than their US cousins, they are more or less the same size, measuring approximately 2m in height and weighing in at around 800kg. These animals are huge and although spotting significant size herds of females with calves is not unusual, it's amazing how they blend in with their surroundings and can disappear into forests. Bulls are solitary at this time, and in my expereince are, with caution, easier to approach and obtain close-up photos of. We are, of course, in their domain; they are free and wild so although we stand an excellent chance, nothing is guaranteed - what, in nature, ever is?! That is why I have employed the best in the business and put aside two full days dedicated to tracking and, with fingers crossed, photographing them. The majority of the 'leg-work' will be done from a 4WD, and once a herd or an individual has been located we will then approach on foot. Rarely, is it any more than a few hundred metres but occasionally it might be a little further.    

RAPTORS
Aside from magnificent bison, Bialowiezia is also renowned for its birdlife, most notably raptors in the form of white-tailed and golden eagles, goshawk and buzzard. For the last ten years, through laying out road-kill carcases, they have been tempted down from the surrounding forests to appear in front of heated hides. In order for the birds not to be spooked by our presence, we will enter and leave under the cover of darkness, meaning we will be in the hides for around 12 hours. Although the eagles are regular visitors, as with bison, this is their world and if they don't feel like coming down then that is their prerogative. But, as the saying goes - "You've gotta be in it to win it"! For the patient and for those willing to give it a try, these are the rewards... 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
Tuition and briefing from professional photographer, Robert Canis
Professional local guide 
All-inclusive
2 x Bison safaris
2 x Raptor hide sessions
 1 x Woodpecker hide session
Heated hides
4WD transportation

RAPTOR HIDES
To maximise our chances and to offer alternative perspectives, we will use hides in two different locations. The hides are warm and relatively spacious measuring 400x180x140cm (width x length x height) with a floor size of 400x180 cm and each has a private chemical toilet. In order to easily blend in with the environment, the hides at 140cm high are relatively low so unless you are, shall we say, petit, you won't be able to stand up straight inside them. To avoid lens movements being spotted, we will shoot through high quality one-way glass. No tripods are necessary since the camera/lens is attached to a wooden or metal disk and provisions have been made for those wishing to obtain a birds-eye perspective. 

WOODPECKER HIDE
On one of the days, we will have the opportunity to spend time in the woodpecker hide which has been set up primarily for, er...woodpeckers! Seriously, though, lots of other species also visit including greenfinch, hawfinch, siskin, sparrowhawk and nuthatch. It's a great set-up with, often, plenty of action and a welcome relief from the raptor hides since we can enter and leave whenever we please. No private loo, here, just the forest! To account for this, less time will be spent in the hide but more than enough to secure lots of photos.  

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS AND ATTITUDE
By its very nature, wildlife photography is about as unpredictable as it gets, and although every effort has been made to ensure you return with some incredible images, ultimately, it is down to the birds and bison as to whether they appear at all! Isn't this, after all, one of the main draws of wildlife photography?! If their appearance were 100% certain, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun and rewarding! 

While in the hides, there are likely to be sustained periods of very little to no activity so it is important that you are easy-going and mix well with others and not someone who is intense, prefers their own company and 'expects' results! There'll be plenty of opportunity during downtime and over meals for frivolity! :)

HIDE ETIQUETTE
Put simply; no talking, laughing, coughing, sneezing or enjoying yourselves! You're not here for a holiday! :) Seriously, though, hide photography is very much about being as quiet as possible and although you may whisper, talking loudly is definitely out of the question or they will not come! In the raptor hides, although there isn't a bed, there are floor mats so during periods of inactivity you might be inclined to have a snooze. So as not to disturb the birds and lessen the chances of their appearance, if you're a snorer, then I am afraid you will be woken by those in the hide who have my express permission to do so since the greater good of the group as a whole comes before anybody’s beauty sleep! However, since we're shooting through the day as opposed to overnighting in the hide (such as when photographing bears in Finland for example) this shouldn't pose a problem. If you get bored, plug headphones into your phone and listen to an ebook. No lights are allowed inside the hide, so you'll have to keep the screen off. Again, any disturbance is likely to spook them. With all this said, hide work is incredibly enjoyable and has the potential to yield some amazing and unique photographs!   

TO CONCLUDE
I don't wish to come across as dictatorial (I'm really very approachable!), but as someone who has spent 100s of hours in hides and who desperately wants you to achieve some incredible pictures, I am merely offering you the benefit of my experience. After all, isn't that why you've come all this way and parted with your hard-earned cash? If you have done all that you can while in the hides and the eagles still don't turn up, at least you have the peace of mind of knowing that you did all that you possibly could. 

FINALLY...
Thank you very much indeed for considering this tour. Should you have any questions - however small or insignificant you think they might be - then do drop me a line. I’m here to help and provide you with an incredible experience!