Wild Poland in Winter: Bison, Eagles and Goshawk

From 2012 until 2016 I led an annual Polish Wildlife in Winter photography tour to the forests and meadows of north-eastern Poland - Bialowieza - lowland Europe's largest remaining primaeval forest to photograph wild herds of bison and raptors including, amongst others, white-tailed eagles. Due to growing interest, Just this month, I was thrilled to make a return and I'm excited to be returning, again, in 2026 to this incredible destination!

This specific region is one of the most wildlife-rich sites in Europe and on this 7-day all-inclusive photo tour to photograph Poland's wildlife in winter, we will photograph the iconic European bison and spend time in heated hides in the hope of capturing white-tailed eagle, goshawk, pine marten, buzzard, 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, photographing bison and three in hides for white-tailed eagle, goshawk, buzzard and forest birds such as woodpeckers (all of Europe's species are found here), hawfinch, greenfinch, tits, siskin and even pine marten. Bialowieza is a truly wild area and while waiting for raptors, it is not at all unusual to have other visitors, too, including fox, wild boar, deer, and even wolf!  

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

PHOTOGRAPHING EUROPEAN 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 experience 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.    

PHOTOGRAPHING POLAND'S WHITE-TAILED EAGLES AND OTHER RAPTORS
Aside from magnificent bison, Bialowieza is also renowned for its birdlife, most notably raptors in the form of white-tailed eagles, goshawk and buzzard. For the last ten years, through laying out road-kill carcasses, 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
Private en-suite bedroom
Amazing traditional meals!
2 x Bison safaris
2 x Raptor hide sessions
 1 x Woodpecker/forest bird hide session
Heated hides
4WD transportation

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHY HIDES
To maximise our chances and to offer alternative perspectives, we will use hides in two different locations. The hides are very spacious with each having a private chemical toilet. To avoid lens movements being spotted, we will shoot through high-quality one-way glass - as used by many hide operators across Europe. This really is a game-changer and while birds are in front of you, you can easily change lenses and your position without being noticed; something impossible to do with the traditional 'sleeve' method. 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 PHOTOGRAPHY 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, nuthatch and even pine marten! Yes, a regular visitor which everyone managed to get some wonderful photos of! It's a great set-up with, often, plenty of action and a welcome relief from the raptor hides since we can enter later and leave earlier. You're also free to exit and have a stretch from time to time.   

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! :)

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!