Workshop # 7/26
Hunting Osprey
Wildlife Photo Workshop - 21-28 June 2026 - Masuria
4 places booked, 1-2 places available
Ospreys are extremely rare breeding birds in Poland. According to the latest data from the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds from 2022, only 40 breeding pairs were found. One of the largest concentrations of ospreys is in north-eastern Poland, where about half of the population lives. A large part of this area is Masuria, a beautiful land of forests and lakes.
A pair of ospreys nests by one of these lakes, about 1.5 km away. Birds arrive at the turn of March and April from their wintering places in Africa, between 23.03 and 6.04.
After returning, they renovate the nest, breed, and then lay eggs. After about 38 days, the chicks hatch. From now on, a busy period begins for the male, who must provide food for the entire family. It gives you a chance to have unforgettable experiences from April to the end of July or even mid-August. Osprey hunt is one of the most extraordinary spectacles nature offers.
The photo workshop also allows you to photograph many other species of birds and animals from six to seven hides located near each other. You will learn interesting facts about the life of the osprey.
When you are in the Piska Forest, you are in the very heart of nature, and its wealth is at your fingertips.
Benefits for the participants:
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Many hides - the possibility to photograph a wide variety of species even during the night, and all included in the price of a workshop.
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The scope of activities is flexible - you decide what to concentrate on, and we only provide suggestions based on the current activity of birds and animals.
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Gifts for new participants.
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Accommodation in a climatic XIX century Forester lodge - you find a family atmosphere, care, and nature all around the place.
Timing: 21-28 June 2026 (5 full days of photographing, 6 nights)
Total number of photographers: 5 - 4 places booked, 1-2 places available
Main species to photograph:
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osprey
Other species:
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Lesser spotted eagle
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Marsh harrier
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Red fox
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Badger
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Raccoon dog
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Marten
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Common crane
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Great crested grebe
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Grey heron
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Common buzzard
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Woodpeckers
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A variety of small birds - all species of tits, bullfinch, yellowhammer, robin, song thrush, and many others
Hides: 5-6 stationary hides in Masuria
Accommodation: Forester's Lodge - single/double rooms
Costs:
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Number of photographers - 3-6: 1300 € per person (double room)
Limited possibility for a single room: +30 € (single payment) - state the need while booking.
Cost includes:
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Transport to the hides and back
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Accommodation in single/double rooms at a local forester's lodge
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Meals during the workshop (breakfast, dinner)
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Hides
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Daily guiding – organisation, coordination, translation, and support
Please let me know if you need help organising a transfer from Warsaw Airport to your destination.
If you have questions or would like more details, please fill out the contact form at the end of this section.
If you are looking for a different time frame for the workshop or any particular subject/species, send your inquiry.
Photo hides
Osprey hide
Hide located at the edge of the lake. Hunting place for a local osprey. There is also a possibility to photograph other birds living around the lake.
Possibility to photograph:
Osprey, great crested grebes, grey herons, mallards, coots
Forest hide 1 (day and night photography)
Hide located in the forest at a small clearing around 7 km away from the rest of the hides.
Possibility to photograph:
badger, raccoon dog, fox, buzzard, and a variety of small birds including bullfinch, crested tit, crossbill and many others.
Meadow hide
Hide located on a meadow near the lake.
Possibility to photograph:
lesser spotted eagle, marsh harrier, crane, buzzard, fox, woodpeckers, and a variety of small birds.
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Cranes hide
Hide located on a meadow, at the edge of the forest. Feeding place of 1-2 local pairs of cranes.
Possibility to photograph:
cranes, marsh harrier, woodpeckers
Forest hide (night photography)
Hide located in the forest near the lake, dedicated to night photography.
Possibility to photograph: marten, raccoon dogs.
Optional - Reflection table hide
Place of bathing and feeding of a small birds, woodpeckers, and squirrels.
Possibility to photograph:
sparrows, tits (great, blue, marsh, willow), yellowhammers, howfinch, greenfich, nuthatch, woodpeckers (great-spotted, middle, lesser-spotted), squirrels
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What participants say:
"The nature is very beautiful, the organization was good – top marks. The the family where we stayed was "superb." Thanks to Eva for the great food and Christopf for his dedication to the osprey. We couldn't complain."
Peter, Germany
"In the beginning I had some communication problems due to understanding English language. Later you had it very well under control and made sure that everyone understood everything. The organisation is on the level that can't be improved much."
Robert, Germany
"Organisation was flexible, we saw many kinds of species. Very good workshop, nice people, and plenty of good food."
Joop, Netherlands
"I am very pleased with the osprey workshop because it provides a different photo opportunities. The organisation was good, and the informatio about the wildlife was also ok. I enjoyed the presentation about the osprey. Housing was ok, and the food tasty."
Pim, Netherlands
"Great experience. Perfect location with several opportunities within walking distance and night-photography possibilities close by.Very well organized. Lots of relevant and detailed information before the workshop, including last minute weather reports, which enabled us to pack proper clothes for different temperatures.
Many possibilities with respect to different interests, as you could encounter eagles, storks, cranes, cuckoos, ospreys, harriers, badgers, racoon dogs. With a little more luck we would have experienced the hoopoe as well.
You don’t often find so many options within a small area as here.
I would for sure recommend the workshop. The area is beautiful."
Jens, Denmark
"I spent an excellent week in the company of Robert, my travelling companion and our Polish hosts Eva and Christophe. This was my first visit to Poland and its wildlife, and I'm sure it won't be my last.Top-quality trip organisation. Prior to arrival, Robert sent several emails detailing the logistics (weather, equipment requirements, meeting point, etc.). This was extremely reassuring.
The venue for the course is magnificent and peaceful. Perfect for observing the local wildlife. For me, it was the first time I'd seen a lot of birds (cuckoo, grey crane, woodpecker, raccoon, badger, etc.) but I also had some great sightings of osprey and storks. In other words, this is a trip that I highly recommend for nature photographers."
Sophie, France
"I spent a wonderful week with beautiful nature and amazing people. The results were many great photos. Everything worked. All hides are within reach of a few minutes walking."
Olaf, Germany
"The workshop was 100 % positive. I experienced a very friendly, family atmosphere.
I loved the time when we were eating meals together. Organization – perfect, service – perfect, food – perfect, accommodation – very good, information, daily guiding, preparation of the hides – perfect.
Osprey was the main reason I decided to participate in the workshop however, there were many opportunities to photograph other animal species."
Enrico, Germany
"Considering the effort to get here and not knowing what was coming on my way, it was all worth it.
I was able to take beautiful photos.
The organizer was experienced and had things under control. All were friendly and flexible. A good addition was a presentation about some facts from the life of an ospreys. Accommodation was very good with a friendly atmosphere. There was plenty of tasty food."
Gerjan, Netherlands
"Awesome! I loved every second of the workshop.
Communication beforehand enabled me to come well-prepared for the existing weather and terrain conditions.
I got more than I expected in terms of wildlife photographing opportunities.
The local guide is very knowledgeable and passionate about the animals – especially ospreys. You can feel it.
Those few days were a good time to be here and enjoy Polish hospitality. The food was fantastic."
Phillipp, Germany
"I felt always very well during the workshop. The area is simply beautiful and the nature is impressive.
The organization was very good. The length of the workshop is just correct. It is always good to stay longer but 5 days of photographing was enough. The flexibility during the workshop is always a value – the wishes or needs of the participants were always well recognized. It was very cool to get some extra and special information from Christoph about the life of the osprey. The accommodation was very good and friendly.
I loved the food. 😊"
Florian, Germany
"We had a great workshop together.
We saw everything we hoped for. Robert is adorable and extremely friendly. He takes care of everything. We got on really well with him and Krzysztof and had many conversations about nature, photography, and Poland in general. It was almost perfect. The food in the accommodation is very good, the rooms are quiet.
Nevertheless always gladly again!
Thank you, Robert!"
Joe, Germany