Workshop # 8/26
Hunting Osprey 2
Wildlife Photo Workshop - 25-31 July 2026 - Masuria
Fully booked
Osprey is an extremely rare breeding bird in Poland. According to the latest data from the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds from 2022, only 40 breeding pairs of these birds were found. One of the largest concentrations of ospreys is in north-eastern Poland. About half of the population lives there. 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 the beginning of August. The osprey hunt is one of the most extraordinary spectacles that nature offers.
The photo trip also allows you to photograph many other species of birds and animals from 6-to-7 hides located near each other. 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, and all included in the price of a workshop.
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The flexibility of the program - 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: 25 - 31 July 2025 (5 full days of photographing, 6 nights)
Maximum number of photographers: 5 - fully booked
Main species to photograph:
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osprey
Other species:
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raccoon dog
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badger
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red fox
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common crane
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marsh harrier, lesser spotted eagle
Hides: stationary hides in Masuria
Accommodation: Forester's Lodge - double rooms
Costs:
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Number of photographers - 3-5: 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 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
Own transport to the site.
Please contact me if you need help organising a transfer from Warsaw airport to the place.
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, just 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, goldeneyes, great crested grebes, grey herons, mallards, cranes
Forest hide
Hide located in the middle of the forest, around 7-8 km away from the rest of the hides. There is a small water facility for the birds.
Possibility to photograph:
raccoon dogs, foxes, squirrels, woodpeckers, a variety of tits (big, blue, marsh, crested), blackbirds, blackcaps, bullfinches, robins, and others.
Overflow pond hide
Hide located on a meadow near the lake.
Possibility to photograph:
grey herons, buzzards, foxes
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
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
Badger's den
Den is located in a nearby forest. This is a place where a local family of badgers live. There are 2 adults, some young from a previous year and newly born badgers. They have been active since the middle of April, depending on the temperature.
Possibility to photograph:
badgers
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What participants say:
"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 trip 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 trip 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 trip.
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 trip. The area is simply beautiful and the nature is impressive.
The organization was very good. The length of the trip is just correct. It is always good to stay longer but 5 days of photographing was enough. The flexibility during the trip 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 tour 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. The food in the accommodation is very good, the rooms are quiet. Nevertheless always gladly again!
Thank you, Robert!"
Joe, Germany