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Trip to the Czech Republic 14th April to 21st April 2002

Wildwings organised tour with leader Gerard Gorman and Dr Josef Chytil.

Other participants:- Clive Hope, Ken & Maggie Hook, Derek Easton and Ray Fulton (wife refused entry to Czech Republic). 

Sunday 14th April.

Bright, warm & sunny in UK; grey with light rain in Prague

Depart London Heathrow on Czech Airlines flight to Prague (1450hrs) – 1hr 35min comfortable flight.  Met at Airport by Gerard (and Marek trip driver); joined rest of party after protracted wait for Ray to learn his luggage was still in Heathrow.  Three hour drive in Peugeot Boxer on rough and twisty Czech roads to the SW border town of Volary.  Arrived late at Hotel Bobik just in time for traditional Czech supper of pork/dumplings.  Poor night’s sleep on uncomfortable bed with lorries rumbling past window!

Monday 15th April.

Cool dry with sunny periods – forecast for rain but none seen

6am start looking at farmland around Volary for Blackcock leks; returned for 08 breakfast  then spent 09-14hrs walking in Bourbinski Prallis –  spruce & beech forest untouched since medieval times.  Walking at times was difficult on forest path and too much for Derek to manage.  Highlights of White-backed Woodpecker and Greenish Warbler but many other forest birds and signs of wild boar.  Lunch at Lenori (more dumplings and beer) before looking at another woodland site near Volary checking various nestboxes.  Late afternoon visited a more open site near Strozce to see Ural and Pigmy Owl; neither showed but Great Grey Shrike and Black Stork seen – as evening closed all party became very cold and welcomed return to supper at Hotel Bobik.

Tuesday 16th April

Cool dry with sunny periods.

Breakfast at 0730 then a repeat of 15/4 as neither Ken nor Maggie had seen WB Woodpecker.  Took a different and enjoyable route through the forest which seemed remarkably quiet despite plenty of signs of wildlife.  Eventually found White-backed Woodpecker again and all had further good views. NO Greenish Warbler today – additional magnificent views of Firecrests & Ring Ouzels.  Returned to Hotel to leave Volary at 1230 stopping for an interesting pasta like lunch at a restaurant by Lake Lipno.  Stopped at two further sites before getting to Trebon (a lakeside location and a forest site where Black Woodpeckers and Tengmalm’s Owl were found.  After arriving at Pension NA Ha……… outside Trebon the early evening was spent walking along a wide path by a fish pond – here plenty of woodpeckers including our first encounter with Middle Spotted, Grey-headed and Lesser Spotted and several water birds on the lake.  Supper (wild boar) in a restaurant 300 yards from the Pension house.  Much more restful night.

Wednesday 17th April

Dry; mainly cloudy but periods of sunshine

Day around Trebon; pre-breakfast walk in lane near hotel; after breakfast walk through Red Bog area south of Trebon – finest example of peat bog and forest in Czech Republic.  Lunch in Trebon before changing guide to Jan for the afternoon and toured several fishpond in area north of Trebon – several White-tailed Eagle sites were visited – some watched just from distance; rather whistle-stop tour of many locations.  Highlights clearly the eagles, a roost of Night Herons; a host of water birds and a party of Waxwings flycatching.  The eagles nest which was viewed had been predated (? By humans) in the past few days.  Late afternoon walk around Trebon before rejoining Josef to drive to a nearby forest location to seen Pigmy Owl – fabulous views – returned to restaurant late for traditional dish of Carp.

Thursday 18th April

Grey most of day with occasional bright periods; visability at times poor

Ken unwell with viral gastroenteritis during the night – am a depleted party (mainly Clive; Gerard and myself) looked around Trebon Park and some more fishponds on south side of the town. Ray looked around Trebon.  Highlights include Hawfinches; Pied Flycatcher and red-head Smew.  All regrouped late morning to travel to Moravia; an eventful journey.  Stopped for picnic lunch and at several sites en-route to look for Great Bustard and Rooks.  Highlights included the only Osprey of the trip and excellent views of Tree Sparrows – sadly no Bustards located.  After checking into Hotel Reva the late afternoon was free – walk with Clive and Ray around Zamek, Jewish Cemetery and town – excellent views of Hawfinches and Black Redstarts.  Supper early at 1900hrs in restaurant.

Friday 19th April

Grey most of day with light rain at times in am – warmer spells in pm.

An interesting day visiting several locations; main morning walk in lowland forest reserve south of Breclav (Pohansko). This finger of land falls between the Austrian and Slovak borders and has remnants of the old Iron Curtain.  Her the territories of Eastern Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcons + excellent terrain for woodpeckers and other raptors.  Walk required removing deer ticks after!  Excellent views Wrynecks; woodpeckers; and views of kites and eagle.  Picnic lunch at Woodlark site near Breclav before moving onto the Nova Migney Reservoir to look for water and marsh birds.  Highlights here were Penduline Tit; Peregrine and several ducks.  Called at a quarry near Mikulov to see Eagle Owl nesting site and whilst there a Syrian Woodpecker showed well.  (Four new species in a day!).  Supper in Hotel.

Saturday 20th April

Grey most of day with heavy rain in mid afternoon.

Party further depleted with Maggie and Derek down with gastr-enteritis; morning Ray looked around Mikulov.  Am further look at Reservoir with surrounding reedbeds then a walk through floodplain forest – morning highlights included superb Bluethroat views; Savi’s Warblers; Velvet Scoter, more woodpeckers, Wood Warblers and Collared Flycatchers.  Picnic lunch whilst waiting for others to regroup then afternoon spent in Lednice area at the chateau and looking at nearby fishponds.  Excellent assortment of species seen (despite a wet period mid pm) and day total reached 102.  Those fit enough spent the evening with dinner at the Wine Cellar and tasting local Moravian wines (and spirits) in company of a dozen lively Bohemians.

Sunday 21st April

Bright and sunny

Left Mikulov at 0800 arriving at Prague about 1100hrs for return flight to UK at 1250hrs.  All went smoothly and back in sunny and warm UK on time – Peter waiting at airport and back home by 1600hrs.

Table of Species seen (excluding 14th and 21st which were predominated by travelling).

Species

15th

16th

17th

18th

19th

20th

Notes

Diver sp (prb BtD)

 

 

 

 

 

1

Only seen in distance by JAN on reservoir in Moravia

Little Grebe

 

 

*

S

S

1

 

Great Crested Grebe

 

6+

*

*

 

*

 

Black-necked Grebe

 

 

 

 

 

5-6

Fish Pond near Lednice

Great Cormorant

 

*

*

*

*

*

Several breeding colonies on fish ponds

Great Bittern

 

 

 

 

 

S

Booming near Lednice

Night Heron

 

 

20+

 

 

7

Colonies near Trebon and in Lednice Chateau

Great White Egret

 

 

3

 

 

 

Near Trebon

Grey Heron

1

4

*

*

*

*

 

Black Stork

1

 

 

 

 

 

Distant flight view in Sumava near Stozce

White Stork

 

*

*

*

*

*

Many nests seen including some in trees

Mute Swan

 

 

*

*

*

*

 

Greylag Goose

 

 

*

 

*

*

Common on several fish ponds and reservoir

Wigeon

 

 

 

 

 

2

Fish pond near Lednice

Gadwall

 

4

*

*

10

*

Common on fish ponds in Trebon & Moravia

Teal

 

 

3

 

 

2

 

Mallard

 

*

*

*

*

*

 

Garganey

 

 

 

1

 

25

Mostly encountered at Lednice fishponds

Shoveler

 

 

30

 

 

20

 

Red-crested Pochard

 

 

 

 

*

*

Common on fish ponds in Moravia (notably Lednice)

Common Pochard

 

2

*

*

 

*

Several on fish ponds

Tufted Duck

 

*

*

*

*

*

Numerous on some fish ponds

Goldeneye

 

4

*

*

 

 

Common in Trebon area – nest box programme

Velvet Scoter

 

 

 

 

 

1

Drake on reservoir – good views

Smew

 

 

 

1

 

 

Red-head on fish pond south of Trebon

Black Kite

 

 

 

 

4-5

 

All at Pohansko reserve

Red Kite

 

 

 

 

1

1

 

White tailed Eagle

 

 

3+1S

 

 

 

2 imms in flight; adult on tree + ad calling –Trebon

Marsh Harrier

 

 

10+

8+

10

15

 

Montagu’s Harrier

 

 

 

1

 

 

Male over Pension @ Trebon – not seen by all (nor me)

Goshawk

1

 

 

 

 

 

One briefly mobbing Buzzard near Bourbin

Sparrowhawk

1

 

1

2

 

 

 

Common Buzzard

2

10+

30+

30+

25

6

 

Eastern Imperial Eagle

 

 

 

 

1

 

Distant but clear views at Pohansko reserve

Osprey

 

 

 

1

 

 

One over farmland en route to Mikulov

Kestrel

1

3+

4

15

*

*

 

Hobby

 

 

 

 

 

1

Over fish pond near Lednice

Peregrine

 

 

 

 

1

 

By nest box on dead tree in reservoir

Black Grouse

4

 

 

 

 

 

2 males and 2 females near Volary

Grey Partridge

 

 

 

 

 

2

By roadside near Mikulov

Pheasant

 

 

2

6

*

*

 

Water Rail

 

 

S

 

 

S

 

Moorhen

 

 

 

 

1

1

Singles on Reservoir and fish pond near Lednice

Coot

 

2

*

*

*

*

Common on fishponds

Little Ringed Plover

 

 

 

 

 

2

On drained fish pond near Lednice

Lapwing

 

*

 

10

3

1

 

Woodcock

 

 

1

 

 

 

Roding near Trebon @ Pigmy Owl site

Greenshank

 

2

 

 

S

 

 

Green Sandpiper

 

 

1

 

 

6

Included single displaying over Red Bog Trebon

Wood Sandpiper

 

 

 

 

 

6

With above on drained fish pond near Lednice

Common Sandpiper

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Ruff

 

 

 

12

 

1

 

Little Gull

 

 

 

 

 

40

All adults sp on fishpond near Lednice

Black-headed Gull

 

*

*

*

*

*

Large colony on reservoir near Mikulov

Yellow-legged Gull

 

2

 

 

1

2

 

Common Tern

 

 

2

 

*

*

Numerous on pools in Moravia

Feral Pigeon

 

 

*

*

*

*

 

Stock Dove

 

S

 

 

 

2

 

Woodpigeon

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Collared Dove

2

 

*

*

*

*

 

Turtle Dove

 

 

 

 

1

4

 

Cuckoo

 

S

 

 

1

3

 

Tawny Owl

 

 

S

 

S

 

 

Eagle Owl

 

 

 

 

1

 

In quarry near Mikulov – female on nest

Pygmy Owl

 

 

1

 

 

 

Excellent views in forest near Trebon

Tengmalms Owl

 

1

 

 

 

 

Looking out of nest hole!

Common Swift

 

 

 

 

 

1

Over hotel in Mikulov

Kingfisher

 

 

 

1

 

2

 

Wryneck

 

 

 

 

6

S

 

Lesser Spotted Woodpcker

 

 

 

1

1

6

 

Middle Spotted Woodpcker

 

2

 

1

2

6

Many more heard

White backed Woodpecker

2

1

 

 

 

 

@ Bourbiski Prallis – old dead beech trees

Great Spotted Woodpecker

6

2

4

4

6+

6

Lots more heard

Syrian Woodpecker

 

 

 

 

1

 

Male at Eagle Owl quarry

Black Woodpecker

 

2

3

 

6

6

Heard others + lots of evidence Black woodpeckers

Green Woodpecker

 

S

1

3

3

3

 

Grey-headed Woodpecker

 

1

 

 

2

2-3

 

Crested Lark

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

Woodlark

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Skylark

*

 

*

*

*

*

 

Sand Martin

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Swallow

2

6

*

*

*

*

 

House Martin

 

 

*

*

*

*

 

White Wagtail

4

4

*

*

*

*

 

Yellow Wagtail

 

 

S

1

 

S

 

Grey Wagtail

6

1

 

*

 

 

 

Meadow Pipit

10

 

*

 

 

 

 

Tree Pipit

1

 

1

 

1

 

 

Bohemian Waxwing

 

 

7

 

 

 

Flycatching near White tailed Eagle nest! Trebon

Wren

*

*

*

*

 

*

 

Dunnock

*

*

*

 

 

1

A forest bird

Robin

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Nightingale

 

 

 

 

 

1

Seen in Lednice Chateau

Bluethroat

 

 

 

 

 

2

Excellent views of white spotted males in reed beds

Black Redstart

6

2

*

*

*

*

Common bird near all buildings

Stonechat

 

 

 

1

3

4

 

Blackbird

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Ring Ouzel

 

5

 

 

 

 

Near Bourbin

Song Thrush

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Redwing

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mistle Thrush

*

*

*

*

1

 

 

Fieldfare

*

2

*

*

 

*

Common breeding bird

Savis Warbler

 

 

 

 

S

2

Reed beds reservoir and fish ponds

Sedge Warbler

 

 

 

 

1

10

 

Great Reed Warbler

 

 

 

 

 

S

Singing fish pond near Lednice

Blackcap

 

2

*

*

*

*

 

Lesser Whitethroat

 

 

 

 

1

3

 

Greenish Warbler

S

 

 

 

 

 

Singing from Spruce in Bourbiski Prallis

Willow Warbler

 

S

*

 

1

6+

 

Chiffchaff

3

8+

*

*

*

*

 

Wood Warbler

 

 

 

 

 

2

Flood plain forest of the river Dyje

Goldcrest

6

2-3

S

S

 

 

 

Firecrest

2

4

 

 

 

 

Excellent views in forest near Bourbin – more heard

Pied Flycatcher

 

 

 

2

 

 

Males in Trebon park and en-route to Mikulov

Collared Flycatcher

 

 

 

 

S

6+

Mostly males

Long-tailed Tit

2

1

2

S

 

3

White headed form

Crested Tit

S

3

4

 

 

 

 

Marsh Tit

 

 

 

 

1

 

Only one seen although apparently common

Willow Tit

3

2

 

 

 

 

Only in Sumava

Coal Tit

*

*

*

 

 

 

 

Great Tit

2

6

*

*

*

*

 

Blue Tit

1

*

*

*

*

*

 

Nuthatch

*

*

*

*

*

*

Numerous bird

Common Treecreeper

2

2

S

 

 

 

Mostly in higher coniferous habitat

Short-toed Treecreeper

 

2

 

S

1

2

Creeper of low deciduous woodland

Penduline Tit

 

 

 

 

2

1

Excellent views + nests

Great Grey Shrike

1

 

1

 

2

 

 

Jay

1

1

*

*

*

*

 

Magpie

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Jackdaw

 

 

*

*

*

*

 

Rook

 

 

 

120

 

 

Only one rookery en route to Mikulov

Hooded /Carrion Crow

*

*

*

*

*

*

Hooded in Moravia with Carrion mainly in Bohemia

Raven

 

 

 

1

 

 

Single seen with Buzzards en route to Mikulov

Starling

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

House Sparrow

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Tree Sparrow

 

 

 

6

++

2+

Common in Moravia

Chaffinch

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Serin

3

 

2

*

*

*

Abundant in Moravia – esp Lednice Chateau

Greenfinch

*

*

*

*

*

*

 

Siskin

1

1

*

 

 

 

 

Goldfinch

 

 

 

2

*

*

 

Linnet

1

 

 

1

*

6

 

Common Redpoll

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

Only seen by Joseph ? heard over Red Bog

Common Crossbill

S

 

6

 

 

 

 

Bullfinch

1

 

4

 

 

 

 

Hawfinch

 

 

 

4

10+

10+

Excellent views – a feature of the trip!

Yellowhammer

1

 

*

*

*

*

 

Reed Bunting

 

 

1

 

2

*

 

Corn Bunting

 

 

 

2

1

*

 

Interesting potential species missed:-1) Saker – although spent morning in territory - no sign; 2) Ural Owl – always a difficult species; 3) Long-eared Owl – check roosts in Trebon Park and Lednice Chateau but all wintering birds moved on 4) Three-toed Woodpecker – did not show despite nearly two days in habitat of dense spruce forest; 5) Dipper – did not check fast flowing rivers in Sumava; 6) Nutcracker – although reported by one member of party not seen by others.

John Newnham 29/04/2002