Estudio fotográfico para pequeñas aves

Fill your memory cards with the colorful Bramblings and Bullfinches putting on their flight shows
at our Small Bird Studio!

Our studio for passerines* offers a fast-paced photography session where the details are carefully planned. The location provides great conditions for photographing a variety of small birds that are feeding at a distance of about 3 to 4 metres from the hides, set against a nice background.

* A passerine is any bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or songbirds

Depending on the season, the area is regularly visited by several different species, such as Bramblings, Bullfinches, Redpolls, Green Finches, Great Tits, Willow Tits, Siskins, Chaffinches, Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Siberian Jays, as well as Red Squirrels. In May, there are five different thrush species, and Dunnocks, Robins, Wood Pigeons and Curlews. From early spring, even more individuals, and also rarer species such as Pine Grosbeaks and Snow Buntings may visit the site. On occasion, Sparrowhawks and Merlins make an appearance. Even a handsome male Hen Harrier has been photographed so anything is possible!

Carefully designed details direct the birds to nice spots with good backgrounds

Our Small Bird Studio comes to life at the end of April when dozens of male Bramblings and Bullfinches arrive at the site. Their constant flutter and flight offer endless action opportunities, one exciting situation after another.

The details of the studio are carefully designed, with the aim of getting the birds to come to the desired place. The correct distance of the birds from the hide and the height of the perching branches allow you to choose a good background for the birds and the action. Everything has been taken into consideration in our studio, so all you have to do is sit in the hide and start photographing.

ABOUT THE HIDES

There are two sitting-level hides, one for 3 people and another for 4 people. If you have special needs requirements for the hide, please let us know when booking.

Total capacity: 7 people

Equipment:

One lens hole per person. If a seat in the hide is vacant, its lens hole is available for use
Bring your own tripod head/video head to fix your camera onto a wooden shelf or a heavy, moveable metal plate in the hide. Note: Tripods cannot be used
You can also use a bean bag
There are no toilets in the hide, but you can go out of the hide (and into the bushes) anytime.
Each hide has a gel heater

Photography season: 1 March to 30 May / 1 September to 31 October
Photography session: All day. You can come and go as you like, but we recommend to stay at least 4 to 5 hours per session.
Location: A 40-min-drive (45 km) from the centre of Kuusamo, you can park your car behind the hide.

Price for independent photography session: 70 € / photographer / session
Price (briefing included): 120 € / photographer / session

Extra services:

Guiding services 400 € / day
Briefing for first-time visitors 60 € / photographer, 120 € / group

Good to know (FAQ)

Do I need briefing?

We recommend briefing to all photographers with no previous experience in photographing birds from a hide. The briefing, carried out by a professional guide, includes valuable photography tips: how to work in the hide, how to use the heater, how to interpret the behavior of the birds, how to check the backgrounds, etc. This information will significantly improve first-time results.

Do I have the hide for myself?

Our hides are for 3 or 4 people, so there may also be other photographers in the hide. If you want a private hide, or a photography session for your group only, it’s available at an additional cost.

What time of the year can you photograph?

Every day, there are dozens of birds to be photographed. The busiest photography season is in the spring when the main migration species arrive, together with dozens of Bramblings and Bullfinches. This is in late April. On a snowy day, up to 100, even 200 birds may come to the site. In September-October time, it’s possible to photograph quite a few small birds species, against a beautiful background aflame with autumn colours.

How long does one photography session last?

You can choose the length of your photography session, but we recommend a session of at least 4-5 hours. You can come out the hide to refill the feeders for the birds. The birds will take off and leave but they will return after a while.

What kind of clothing do I need for the photography hide?

Nights can be cold in the spring, and we recommend warm winter clothes such as wool socks, gloves, a hat and thermal layers, with winter boots and jacket. Each hide has a gel heater but even so, warm clothes are a must. If you do not have your own, we have warm boots and winter overalls that you can rent.

What is the distance to the birds and what kind of lens and equipment do I need to take with me?

There are perching branches and feeders at about 3 to 4 metres distance in front of the hide. Zoom lenses such as 100-400mm, 150-600mm or even a shorter 70-200mm are practical. If you want tight close-ups, we recommend fixed telephoto lenses, 300-500mm + extenders (optional).