Goshawk Photography in Finland – One of the World’s Best Locations
The Goshawk is one of the most powerful and dramatic birds of prey to photograph, and Finland offers truly exceptional opportunities for this species. Our forest feeder hides near Oulu are considered among the very best places in the world for Goshawk photography, especially during spring.
From close range, photographers can capture fast landings, intense behaviour, and powerful portraits. In spring, encounters between rival Goshawks are common, and dramatic aerial chases and confrontations add a rare and exciting action element to each session.
When is the Best Time to Photograph Goshawk in Finland?
The Goshawk photography season lasts from November to April. To help photographers understand seasonal changes at the hides, the season is divided into smaller sections below.
Early Winter (November – December)
Goshawks typically begin visiting the feeding site in November. During early winter, photography takes place in calm, low-angle winter light. Snow often arrives in the Oulu region during November or December, creating clean, contrasting backgrounds and a strong winter atmosphere.
Mid-Winter (January – February)
During mid-winter, Goshawks remain active at the feeding site throughout the day. Short daylight hours and stable winter conditions often concentrate activity into a compact shooting window. As February progresses and daylight increases, territorial behaviour and interactions between birds may become more frequent, marking a gradual transition towards spring.
Spring Activity (March – late April)
As spring approaches, daylight increases steadily and the forest begins to change. During March and April, Goshawks often show more territorial behaviour, and encounters between rival birds become more common. Fast landings and occasional aerial chases can add a strong sense of action to the photography.
Comfortable Hides for Goshawk Photography
Our forest feeder hides near Oulu offer calm and well-designed conditions for Goshawk photography. The hides are located around 40 minutes from Oulu Airport, with easy domestic flight connections from Helsinki.
Goshawks are photographed during daylight hours. As light levels decrease towards mid-winter, additional lighting can be used to support photography in darker conditions.
The hides are facing west, which in spring allows the setting sun to create beautiful backlighting at the site, adding atmosphere and depth to the images.
In front of the hides, a feeding platform at approximately 1.5 metres height allows comfortable eye-level photography. The platform is decorated according to the season, creating clean and natural compositions. Nearby feeders for smaller forest birds also provide additional photography opportunities.
One of the hides features large windows, making it easier to follow the movements of Goshawks and anticipate action at the feeding platform.
The same hides are also used for Eagle Owl photography at night, allowing both species to be photographed from one well-positioned hide, depending on season and timing.
Hide Layout and Capacity
There is space for a total of eleven photographers in the hides:
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Hide 1 accommodates up to three photographers, with 2 + 2 + 1 shooting openings and two beds.
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Hide 2 accommodates up to four photographers, with 2 + 3 + 2 shooting openings and three beds
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Hide 3 accommodates up to four photographers, with 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 shooting openings and big windows. No beds available.
Recommended Camera Equipment for Goshawk Photography
The distance from the hides to the feeding platform is approximately 15–20 metres, allowing close-range photography with a wide range of focal lengths. The forest background is set well behind the feeding site, helping the birds stand out clearly from their surroundings.
For Goshawk photography, lenses from 300 to 800 mm are suitable.
Shorter focal lengths, such as 300 mm, work well for action and territorial encounters, allowing two birds to fit comfortably into the frame. Longer focal lengths, up to 800 mm, are ideal for tight portraits and fine detail.
Tripod heads are attached to solid metal ground pods using a standard 3/8” screw. Tripods are not needed inside the hides, but photographers should bring their own tripod head. Lenses are placed through flexible canvas shooting openings.
Please note that changing lenses during the photography session is not allowed, as Goshawks have excellent vision and may be disturbed by movement inside the hide.
What to Expect at the Hides
The hides are located close to the parking area, and it is possible to drive right next to the hides. This makes access easy and suitable also for photographers with some mobility limitations.
As the same hides are used for both Goshawk and Eagle Owl photography, entry to the forest feeder hides usually takes place in the late afternoon, either around two hours before sunset or at 18:00, depending on the season. Although Goshawk photography takes place during daylight hours, photographers typically stay in the hide overnight. Photography sessions continue through the evening and night. You may leave the hide after sunrise, or no later than 12:00.
When entering the hides, conditions can feel cool, especially outside the summer months. The hides are equipped with heating, but we recommend dressing warmly in layers, particularly for the beginning of the session. Sleeping bags and pillows are available in the hides, allowing photographers to rest during long and overnight sessions.
Dry toilets and urinals are available at the site.
As photography sessions last overnight, we recommend bringing sufficient snacks with you for the hide stay. Please also bring your own thermos with hot drinks. The caravan hides are no longer equipped with kitchen facilities.
Photography takes place in calm forest surroundings, and once inside the hide, movement should be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing the birds. Detailed instructions for using the hides and photographing Eagle Owls and Goshawks will be provided after booking.
Book our Forest feeder hide
355 € / session / person
595 € / 2 sessions = 1 person for 2 sessions or 2 persons for 1 session in the same hide
715 € / 3 sessions = 1 person for 3 sessions or 3 persons for 1 session in the same hide
Season for Goshawk: November – April. Prices include use of heated hide, guidance at the location and how to use the heater. Prices do not include transportation. Forest feeder hides can also be booked from our office via email at info(@)finnature.fi or via phone at +358 45 129 4264. Full payment of the hide is required at the time of booking.
Book Goshawk and Eagle Owl hide from our web shopCombine Goshawk Hides with Other Photography Hides
You can combine Goshawk photography with several other photography hides during the same trip, depending on the season.
Winter combinations (November – February)
From November to February, Goshawk photography can be combined with Golden Eagle photography, which is available until the end of March.
Goshawk photography also takes place from the same forest feeder hides as Eagle Owl photography. While Goshawks are photographed during daylight hours, Eagle Owls typically visit the feeding site at night, allowing photographers to photograph both species during an overnight hide stay.
Spring combinations (March – late April)
In March, Goshawk photography can be combined with Golden Eagle photography, until the end of March. In March and April, Northern Goshawk photography can be combined with Black Grouse photography, as lekking begins in mid-March. From late March onwards, it is also possible to combine Northern Goshawk photography with Wolf and Wolverine hides. In late April, Brown Bear photography can be added as bears become active, allowing spring trips to be extended from bird photography to large mammal photography.
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Our wildlife photography tours are ideal for photographers who want to focus fully on shooting, without having to organise hide bookings, accommodation, or transport themselves.
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