Professional photography hides for nature photographers
Photohides in Sweden — Mantorp
These professional photography hides are designed by nature photographer Niklas Virsén and are purpose-built for nature photographers. Located just outside Mantorp, near Linköping (2.5 hours from Stockholm and 2.5 hours from Gothenburg), the hides offer the best possible conditions for creating images of buzzards, goshawks and forest birds.
Each hide includes a toilet in a separate room for maximum comfort, a heater so you don’t get cold, and plenty of space with a ceiling height between 1.80 and 2 meters.
For dark mornings and evenings there is excellent lighting that also enables creative light setups, plus a shallow reflection pool for additional image opportunities. The hides are situated 250 meters from where you park your car — everything for a smooth, comfortable, first-class photo experience.
Photohides-Sweden is part of the photo tour company Fröstad Naturfoto, run by nature photographer Niklas Virsen.
Latest photos in the gallery
What can you photograph?
Northern Goshawk – Accipiter gentilis
The Northern Goshawk is a powerful raptor (wingspan 90–130 cm) with a bluish-gray back, white barred underside, and intense yellow eyes. It hunts mainly birds and small mammals, often with agile flight through dense forest. The goshawk is an impressive and sought-after species for nature photographers.
Photography season:
November–April, a very high chance of goshawk throughout the season. Typically very active in late autumn and early winter. Snow and frost are most common in January–February but can occur all season. Two goshawks and one juvenile (female and male) visit the hide regularly, most often daily.
Chance of photos:
The chance to photograph goshawks is very high, especially with two sessions, though one often suffices. Artificial lighting supports faster shutter speeds, and varied perches provide diverse images. The goshawk is attracted to a platform about 10 meters from the hide but may come even closer.
Gear tips:
400–600 mm for portraits, 200–300 mm for environmental images.
Common Buzzard – Buteo buteo
The Common Buzzard is a robust raptor with broad wings (110–130 cm) and highly variable plumage, ranging from very pale, almost white, to deep brown. During winter the buzzard becomes a regular presence at the hides and offers many exciting photo opportunities. Individuals often linger around the hides, which makes the species especially appreciated by photographers.
Photography season:
November–April, with the best opportunities in midwinter when the buzzards are comfortable with the hide. If you want snow and frost in your photos, January–February is the most reliable, though winter conditions can appear at any time in this period.
Chance of photos:
Buzzards visit the hide very regularly, daily throughout the season. For the most opportunities, two sessions are recommended, but even a single session gives a very good chance of successful images. Typically 6–8 different buzzards frequent the area each season, providing lots of variety.
Practical info:
The hide is equipped with a gas-fired heater to keep you warm even on the coldest winter days. Built-in artificial lighting allows shorter shutter speeds and creative light setups in low light. Perches, stones, and environmental details are rotated regularly to offer varied photo settings. Buzzards are attracted to a dedicated platform about 10 meters from the hide, but they often land even closer at the small-bird feeding station.
Gear tips:
400–600 mm for portraits, 200–300 mm for environmental images.
Forest birds at the hides
The feeding stations at my photography hides attract large numbers of small birds, especially in autumn, winter and early spring when activity is at its peak. Here you can photograph species such as tits, woodpeckers, corvids, finches, sparrows, thrushes, treecreepers and nuthatches, often from just a meter or two away. The list of visiting species is long and changes over the season; anything from Brambling and Eurasian Bullfinch to European Green Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker may turn up.
Gear tips:
400–600 mm is perfect for small-bird portraits, while 300–200 mm lets you include the surroundings.
Mammals
In addition to raptors and forest birds, the feeding stations are regularly visited by various mammals. Squirrels are frequent guests and are often seen near the hide. The fox appears from time to time and can sometimes be seen sneaking through the bushes. The pine marten visits occasionally, though these sightings are rarer and usually happen at night.
Book your photography hide here:
How it works:
-
Choose the dates you want to visit the hides and click ”nästa” (next).
-
Fill in the form with your details.
-
Submit your booking and you’ll receive a confirmation text message.
-
I will contact you personally with information about your visit.
-
Payment is due one week before your visit.
-
Be sure to read the booking terms for your reservation.
Flexible bookings
Plans can change, I get it. When you book your hide, you get the most flexible booking at no extra cost. You pay one week before arrival and can change or cancel your booking with no booking fee up to one week before your visit. So, what are you waiting for? Book your hide! 😀
My photography hides
Forest hide:
-
Separate toilet and gas heater for warmth
-
Accommodates two people, ceiling height 1.80–2 meters
-
Mounting plates for gimbals, ball heads and beanbags
-
External lighting for creative or fill light
-
Platforms and perches are maintained and rotated regularly for optimal variety and backgrounds
-
Located between old-growth forest, meadow and farmland, about 20 meters from ”parking”
-
Here you can photograph raptors, forest birds and badger (badger hide is closed for relocation)
Accommodation
There are several places to stay in and around Mantorp that are ideal for visitors to my photography hides. Options range from more luxurious spa resorts to good motels and bed & breakfasts.
-
Fiestad Farm — A rural option offering a close-to-nature experience (about 500 meters to the meeting point)
-
Sjögestad Motel — A classic motel outside Mantorp (about 7.5 km to the meeting point)
-
Himmelsby SPA — A farm hotel that can offer a more luxurious stay with opportunities for relaxation and spa treatments (about 600 meters to the meeting point)
-
Motorhome parking on my own property. For those traveling by campervan/motorhome, you can park and stay on site, but there is no electricity. You can of course also camp in a tent.
You can also choose from the many accommodation options in Linköping. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Linköping to Mantorp.
The story of my photography hides
It began in 2016 when I moved to Fröstad Farm outside Mantorp, Östergötland. Along with the farm, I acquired my own land where I could start my photography hide projects. I began building my first hide, which today is the main hide for both raptors and many other forest birds. I have spent many days and nights in this hide photographing raptors and woodland birds.
My photography hides have been continuously improved, and still are, to provide the best opportunities for both outstanding images and memorable encounters with the forest’s wildlife. New projects are always underway, and right now I’m focusing on finding ways to attract Tawny Owls and to make the Pine Marten a more regular presence at the hides. At present I have two active hides, one of which is new for the coming season (autumn 2025).
I began renting out my photography hides in 2024, and I see a bright future ahead with many exciting encounters with both participants and raptors 😉!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Directions to the meeting point & contact
Address: Fröstad Naturfoto
Östra Tollstad Fröstad 2
59597 Mantorp
GPS coordinates: 58.3379276, 15.3413823
Map: To see the exact location and get directions, click here: Google Maps link
From the E4:
-
Follow signs for Himmelsby Gårdshotell.
-
Note: Do not turn off toward Östra Tollstad.
-
Continue on the road until you reach your destination.
Parking: Park in the farmyard area where there is a small turnaround.
Contact for questions
Name: Niklas Virsén
Phone: +46 736 54 06 87
Email: info@frostadnaturfoto.se