Today’s family outing took us to the Újezd reservoir near Vrskman and then on to the Nechranice reservoir. The weather wasn’t great – it was overcast and a bit breezy in places – but it was perfectly fine for birdwatching.
This time, I hadn’t planned to chase as many species as possible or try at all costs to add something new to my list. I mainly wanted to enjoy the day with my family, have a bit of a walk, switch off and, of course, see what was flying, swimming or hiding in the reeds along the way.
In the end, I did manage to add a few new species to my LIFE list, so that made it all the more enjoyable. But that’s exactly what it’s all about for me. Combining a pleasant family outing with what I enjoy, and not treating every sighting as a race to build the longest possible list.
Just a lovely day out, a few birding surprises and time spent together – that’s what counts. What more could you ask for?
VN Újezd, Vrskmaň
Birdlist:
Common Chiffchaff, Common Wood Pigeon, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, White Wagtail, Great Cormorant, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Long-tailed Tit, Caspian Gull, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Magpie, Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Common Starling, Great Egret, Grey Heron, European Green Woodpecker.
Grey Plovers filmed through a spotting scope using a mobile phone and tripod
Grey Plovers and other waders photographed with a camera (heavily cropped)
VN Nechranice
Birdlist:
Hawfinch, Dunlin, Mallard, Common Buzzard, White Wagtail, Common Linnet, Common Ringed Plover, Caspian Gull, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Common Starling, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, European Green Woodpecker, Common Chaffinch.
October BIG DAY 2026
On Saturday 10 October 2026, the October Big Day took place – a global event organised as part of the eBird project, which brings together bird lovers across continents. The aim is to head out into the countryside, watch birds and record your sightings. Anyone can take part, whether they spend the whole day out in the countryside or just a short while by the water or in their garden. What’s more, these sightings help scientists monitor bird populations and their migration patterns.
