31 July - 18 August 2002
All birding was confined to single visits to two sites. This was largely due to pressure of work and lack of transport due to the city suffering it's worst flooding for over 400 years.
Mala Strana is within sight of the hotel and is situated on the other side of the Vltana river. It's basically a wooded park on a hill. Sarka is a country park, around 20 minutes drive from the hotel and is on the way to the airport. It is mostly forest with some lightly wooded areas. There is also a gorge near the entrance.
A bird was seen in a flooded field from speeding car c35 km outside Prague.
A large herd of c40 semi-domesticated birds were on the Vltana.
Fairly commonly seen on the Vltana River.
A juvenile was seen briefly (head and neck only) in Mala Strana on a bough before flying off and landing clumsily into foliage. Its large size was apparent, though the jizz immediately struck me as being more kite-like than accipiter.
I noticed the bird's dark eye and yellow cere and the head and neck was brown with darker streaks. In its brief flight I noticed that its plumage was uniform brown, its wings seemed almost pointed, whilst its tail seemed long and narrow.
This magnificent bird was fairly commonly seen quartering farmland 35kms outside Prague. Female types were identified.
A pair seen and heard calling at Sarka, plus another was heard.
One was seen for a split second at Sarka.
Commonly seen.
Up to 6 juveniles were found in a crop field at Sarka.
This Larid was very common along the Vltana. They were largely absent though, after the flooding. Seen sparingly elsewhere, bar around a dump c20 km outside Prague.
This bird was a regular sight.
A few were seen just outside of town.
At least 2 were seen overhead at Mala Strana and another couple were seen fleetingly at Sarka.
A rather scarce bird with low numbers seen.
Commonly seen during the first 10 days. Thereafter, numbers dropped quite dramatically.
One flew overhead at c40 feet at 6.30 am whilst I was walking through a forest clearing at Sarka. It was large, black (red possibly seen on forehead) with a broad and rounded tail. Its flight pattern resembled a mixture of a woodpecker and Jay.
1 seen on the ground at Mala Strana, many more heard at both sites.
One was definitely seen at Mala Strana with perhaps more heard.
Small parties were seen all around.
This attractive hirundine locally common around town.
Several were seen briefly from a speeding car, flying around in a quarry c20 km outside Prague.
A bird was heard in brief song in Sarka.
A couple of family parties were seen at Mala Strana with several more at Sarka.
A rather pale female was watched quivering her tail in the bare branches of a tree in Mala Strana.
A male and female seen on separate days in vicinity of the studio at Barrondov, Prague.
Several were in a crop field in Sarka.
Several elusive birds were seen in Mala Strana.
A commonly seen bird in Prague.
A fairly common sight and sound in Sarka.
Several stonking adults were seen at close range in woods at Sarka.
Singletons were heard calling at Mala Strana and singing briefly in Sarka.
Fairly commonly found in suitable habitat.
Fairly commonly seen at Mala Strana.
A couple 'female' type birds seen briefly. White on primaries was not extensive and I didn't see any paler band on the rump (indicative of Collared Fly).
Birds were heard in Sarka.
Very commonly encountered with roving family parties abounding in the woods.
As with the Great Tit.
A couple were seen with a roving tit flock at Mala Strana. The small bib and lack of bull-head apparent.
Roving parties of the Central European race seen. Their heads are more frosty looking.
These birds were almost abundant at Mala Strana.
Fairly commonly seen but never well enough! No typical Treecreeper calls heard. Probably Short-toed.
A fairly common covid here.
Fairly common in the wooded areas. The birds here are more washed out looking than British birds.
Localised in the countryside c35kms from Prague. One flock contained c350 birds.
A few noticed at Mala Strana.
A female and a juvenile were seen at Mala Strana. Great views.
Fairly common in all vicinities.
Small flock at was present at Sarka.
A few juveniles were found in the wood at Sarka.
A couple were seen in Sarka.