Velký Tisý with a twist, or when Czech Television got involved in our birding
It’s a pleasure to return to Velký Tisý. It’s a place where it’s always worth looking around, listening to the sounds coming from the reeds, and watching what’s happening on the water’s surface or in the air. And as is often the case with birding, you never know exactly what to expect. Sometimes you come away with an interesting sighting, other times with a lovely photograph, and occasionally something happens that you wouldn’t have expected at the start of the trip.
And that’s exactly what happened on 7 May 2026, when a visit from a Czech Television crew added some variety to our stay at Velký Tisý. This time, it wasn’t just us who were observing something. On the contrary, we ourselves became part of the action in front of the camera.
When birdwatching turns into a TV shoot
A crew from Czech Television arrived at Velký Tisý to film part of a feature for the programme *Ptačí století* (The Century of Birds), which forms part of the series *Nedej se!*. The feature marks the centenary of the founding of the Czech Ornithological Society and its long-standing work in the fields of research, bird conservation and public awareness. Česká televize
The filming also included an interview with me. So, as well as the usual birding experiences, I came away with one rather unusual experience. I must admit that watching birds and talking about them out in the field is, after all, quite different from standing in front of a television camera. You’re used to looking through binoculars, searching for birds and thinking about what you’ve just managed to spot. But suddenly you’re looking into the camera and trying to get everything out of yourself in a way that makes sense.
Fortunately, the interview wasn’t just about birdwatching itself. We also talked about my family, who are an integral part of my life as a birder.
Birding isn’t just about birds
When you spend a lot of time in the countryside, you gradually realise that it’s not just about species lists, spotting rare birds or how many photographs you bring home. Just as important are the experiences that go hand in hand with all of this, and the people with whom you can share them.
That’s why I was delighted that my wife and, above all, our daughter also featured in the final report. We’re even all three together in the footage, which is perhaps the loveliest part of the whole report for me.
Sometimes you don’t even realise how many moments you share together whilst pursuing your hobby. And then an opportunity like this comes along, and suddenly one of those moments is captured on television. Not as some grand event, but as an ordinary slice of our lives, in which birds and nature have their rightful place.
And that’s precisely why this visit to Czech Television wasn’t just an interesting highlight of my stay in Velký Tisý. It will also remain a lovely family memory for me.
Where can you see us?
If you’re interested in finding out how it all turned out, you can find the report on the Czech Television website in the programme *Nedej se!*, under the title *The Century of Birds*.
📺 Ptačí století – Nedej se! | Česká televize
The interview with me begins at around 4:20 and ends at around 5:20. During this minute or so, we also talk about my wife and daughter, so you can see us all together there.
The whole episode is nine minutes long and, as well as our segment, it also looks at the 100th anniversary of the Czech Ornithological Society and its work for birds and nature.
In conclusion
This time, Velký Tisý didn’t just treat us to another day out in the field. It added something extra – a meeting with a television crew, a rather unusual experience in front of the camera and, above all, a memory in which all three of us are captured.
And so, from 7 May 2026, I take away not only the memory of a visit to one of our favourite birding spots, but also of the day when our shared love of nature made it onto the television screen.
Because whilst birding is mainly about birds, the best experiences are often about the people with whom we share them.
