October visit to Friskens Fotogömsle in Vittskövle, Sweden
October once again brought us back to Friskens Fotogömsle in Vittskövle, southern Sweden. Our annual visit has become something of a tradition, and this year we were eager to try the new hide that opened for the 2026 season.
As always, the experience began long before the birds arrived. We spent the night in the hide and were up before dawn, preparing our equipment and watching as the feeding area was set up in the darkness.
For this trip, I was once again shooting with my trusted Sony A1 paired with the Sony 200-600mm lens. The camera had recently been updated to firmware version 4.0, and throughout the entire visit it performed flawlessly.
The first visitors arrived shortly after seven o’clock. Red Kites, Ravens, and Common Buzzards quickly gathered around the feeding area, filling both the sky and the surrounding trees. Unfortunately, the light was still challenging, with the sun yet to clear the horizon. As every wildlife photographer knows, patience is often rewarded, and as the morning light improved we finally had the opportunity to capture some beautiful images of Red Kites perched on the carefully placed branches near the feeding ground.
Red Kites photographed at Friskens Photo Hide.
Few European birds of prey combine elegance and character quite like the Red Kite. Their graceful flight, forked tails, and rich chestnut plumage make them endlessly photogenic subjects. Even so, the day’s first real excitement came when a Black Kite appeared above the hide. It circled the area for several minutes but never committed to landing. Although the encounter was brief, we managed to capture a few photographs of this elusive visitor, a species we have only encountered a handful of times during our visits to Friskens.
The highlight of the day, however, was still to come.
Black Kite above the hide.
At approximately 5:30 PM, with the sun sinking towards the horizon and the light taking on a warm golden glow, two Golden Eagles suddenly appeared and landed directly in front of the hide – one at a time. For a few magical moments, they fed before lifting off once again and disappearing into the fading evening light.
Encounters with Golden Eagles are always special. This was the third time we have been fortunate enough to photograph them at Friskens, and each sighting feels just as memorable as the first.
Golden Eagle at Friskens in October 2026.
Looking back, it was yet another outstanding visit to Friskens Fotogömsle. The new hide worked well and offers photographers another excellent option, although I must admit that the original hide remains my personal favourite. From a practical perspective, having two hides available is a significant advantage, as Friskens is often fully booked during the most popular periods.
With memorable encounters, exciting photographic opportunities, and even a visit from two Golden Eagles, this year’s trip certainly lived up to expectations. We are already looking forward to returning next autumn.