Urban Birder in Prague The
BBC’s The One Show’s David Lindo writes for Bird Watching
T
he prospect of going birding within the confines of a city is an interesting one. It is a complete dichotomy: watching wildlife in the heart of civilisation. Surprisingly, some cities are as under-recorded for their birds as the remote corners of the Earth. Although most of the hitherto unknown species lurking in our cities are very familiar and are by no means globally threatened, they are still minor miracles that should be celebrated and protected. One such city where the birdlife is not generally well known is Prague. I had the pleasure of visiting for a couple of days last August on what started out as a non-birding trip to visit some Czech friends. However, Prague has great birding potential, as many of its parks support great species, including Marsh Warblers that supposedly breed around the city zoo. But it was the prospect of seeing those Eastern European Black Woodpeckers that excited me most. I stayed in a hotel in the Old City, a short walk away
from the Vltava River that dissects the city. From my hotel window I had great views of Mala Strana, a posh district of the town, dominated by a wooded hillside park called Petrín. After meeting up with my friends for breakfast I headed over on foot to Mala Strana. On the way, I crossed over the famous Charles Bridge, pausing to watch a few Black-headed Gulls patrolling the river over the heads of a large herd of semidomesticated Mute Swans. The river attracts an array of wintering waterfowl and according to the Czech Society for Ornithology it is one of the most important wintering areas in the Czech Republic for waterbirds such as Pochard, Tufted Duck and Coot. Recommended, though, is the stretch of the river in Prague-Trója, which is in the vicinity of the zoo. Apart from the commoner waterfowl you can also expect Teal, Goosander, Goldeneye and scarcer visitors. When I arrived at Petrín it reminded me of a large, heavily wooded version of London’s Holland Park with
the hill itself crowned by what looked like a mini Eiffel Tower. A couple of Turtle Doves flew over as I was scrutinizing the drifting swifts. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers entertained me as I searched in vain for the woodpecker species that helps to make this part of Europe so special. I was stunned by the close approach that some of the birds allowed me. I practically walked up to a female Common Redstart as she quivered her tail on a branch over my head. Short-toed Treecreepers were common, as were Marsh Tits. I saw what I thought were femaletype Pied Flycatchers but I was aware that the very similar Collared Flycatcher also frequented the area. I wasn’t able to discern the latter’s paler rump band and bigger white primary patches, so I cautiously opted for the commoner species. The Hawfinches were ridiculously approachable. I watched a female and her offspring out in the open less than 15 feet away from me. It was a weird feeling watching a bird that we know at home as extremely shy and retiring, going about its business with no regard for me in the middle of a city! Perhaps the most surprising bird I saw was the juvenile Honey Buzzard I first noticed sitting quietly in a tree, trying to hide from me. Initially, all I could see was its brown head and neck. When I raised my bins, I noticed its dark eyes and yellow cere. The following morning I headed out to Divoká Šárka, an area of forest country park on the outskirts, some 20 minutes taxi ride from the city centre. I only had a few hours, so my goal was to try to clean up on the woodpeckers that I so wanted to see. On arrival I was greeted by the sight of a pair of Common Buzzards soaring on the thermals. Walking through the forest I had great views of several singing Wood Warblers and roving flocks of the Central European race of Longtailed Tits. They sported frostier looking heads. But the woodpeckers I craved were nowhere to be seen. Dejected, I headed back to where my taxi was waiting. On the way, I came to a forest clearing so I decided to give my woodpecker hunt one final effort. As I was about to give up, I noticed a dark, crow-sized bird flying towards me on a flight pattern that was a cross between a woodpecker and a Jay. It was a Black Woodpecker and it flew right over my head! Yay! David flew to Prague with EasyJet
City list: 250 species
Best site: Petrin Hill
I was searching for the species that makes this part of Europe so special
www.birdwatching.co.uk
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