Birdwatching can take many forms. It can be approached from a scientific, artistic, or even technical perspective. We can observe birds in our own gardens or in the most remote corners of the world. It can be as simple as identifying bird species, or we can focus on their songs, behaviour, habitats, migration, nesting, and many other aspects of their lives.
Great Tit, 2020, Hostivice – Central Bohemia, Czech Republic
The relationship a birdwatcher develops with the object of their interest is always a positive one, with a strong emphasis on conservation. Although birdwatching is a hugely popular recreational activity in some countries, it does not harm nature. On the contrary, it has an educational value, raising awareness of both bird conservation and the protection of the natural world as a whole. Simply put, a birdwatcher is a nature lover who enjoys observing birds.
Year 2020
The year 2020 was strange in every possible way. Nevertheless, it got off to a good start for me as a birdwatcher. In February, I managed to spot a Bohemian Waxwing for the first time, and on that very same day, I reached my 70th bird species. On 29 February, we spotted our first White Stork of the year.
Then everything changed, and the pandemic made things much more complicated. Despite that, on 28 March, we managed to observe our first owl – a Long-eared Owl. That same day, we were also lucky enough to spot some plovers, a Northern Pintail, and, most notably, cranes. In April, some of our rarer sightings included a Bluethroat, a Eurasian Penduline Tit, and a Eurasian Wryneck. The following months brought further success as well.
During our holiday in South Moravia, we fulfilled some long-held dreams by observing European Bee-eaters. Other new sightings included a Black Kite and a Eurasian Hobby. Towards the end of the year, we also visited the Brdy Highlands, where we had the opportunity to observe a Common Crossbill and a Tawny Owl. In the Orlické Mountains, we spotted a Rough-legged Buzzard.
We ended 2020 with a total of 151 bird species observed.
Common Kestrel, 2020, Orlické Mountains, Czech Republic
I’m pleased to say that our birdwatching trips bring us encounters with more than just birds. Red Deer, 2020, Orlické Mountains, Czech Republic.
