Estonia Winter Trip

Raptors and Forest Birds on Snow – Photography Trip from Hide in Otepää, Estonia

13–17 December 2025

Experience an unforgettable winter photography adventure in the snowy forests of southern Estonia. This exclusive Photo Logistics trip offers the chance to photograph raptors, forest birds and mammals from a comfortable heated hide complex, surrounded by pristine snow and silent woods.

Trip Overview

The journey begins at Barcelona Airport, where you’ll be accompanied at all times by a Photo Logistics guide.
Alternatively, you may fly from another airport and meet your guide directly at Tallinn Airport — just make sure to coordinate your flight schedule with us.

Upon arrival in Tallinn, we’ll travel by private bus to Tartu, where our local host, Phil Gould, will welcome us and accompany us to Otepää, about 2.5 hours southwest. Snow will likely cover the landscape entirely, setting the perfect winter scene.
We’ll check into our hotel in single rooms and enjoy a welcoming dinner.

Hide Complex and Facilities

Our photography sessions take place in a unique system of interconnected hides, all built from local wood and designed for comfort and functionality.
Each space is equipped with:

• Heating – essential during the Estonian winter.

• Spacious work tables to set up your equipment (tripod heads are available, no need to bring yours).

• Dry toilets with full amenities.

• A common room with a large screen for briefings, image review and discussion sessions.

Without leaving the complex, you’ll be able to photograph from different scenarios and vantage points throughout the day. Each participant will have their own private space or, if preferred, share an area with others.
Meals are served in the hide, allowing for full-day sessions until 19:00, when floodlights will provide opportunities for night photography after sunset.

The entire facility will be reserved exclusively for our small group.

Wildlife Highlights

You will be able to photograph:

• Woodpeckers – Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker.

• Passerines – Yellowhammer, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Hooded Crow, among others.

• Raptors – Goshawk and Steppe Buzzard, Sparrowhawk with a fair chance of White-tailed Eagle.

• Mammals – Red Fox and Raccoon Dog are regular visitors.

Itinerary

Day 1 – 13 December 2025
Flight from Barcelona (or other airport) to Tallinn.
Private transfer to Tartu, where we’ll meet our host, and continue to Otepää.
Hotel check-in and dinner.

Day 2 – 14 December 2025
Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the hide complex for a full day of photography until 19:00.
Night photography with artificial light available. Dinner and overnight in Otepää.

Day 3 – 15 December 2025
Second full day at the hides with the same schedule and options. Dinner and overnight in Otepää.

Day 4 – 16 December 2025
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning and afternoon photography session at the hides until 18:00.
Return by bus to Tallinn and overnight near the airport.

Day 5 – 17 December 2025
Early morning return flight.