Discover Exciting Paths to Explore on International Bird Day
In conjunction with this, the “International Bird Day” is observed to honor the signing of an international agreement that many people are familiar with. However, what may come as a surprise to some is that in our country, there exists a tradition of celebrating April Bird Day that is even older and traces its roots back to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. This tradition was initiated by a Slovak naturalist named Oto Herrmann (1835 – 1914), who was born, lived, and worked in Brezno. The first Bird Day event was organized for schools within the Austro-Hungarian Empire on April 1, 1900, and it was a time to celebrate both the birds and the trees.
A primary goal of “International Bird Day” is to raise awareness about the threats that birds face around the world and to aid in their protection along with their habitats. Birds encounter significant dangers, especially during their often lengthy migrations. For instance, some birds travel up to 10,000 km, while the record-holding long-tailed tern can fly an astounding 40,000 km. The species that are most at risk are those migrating over the Mediterranean Sea, which includes quails and fieldfares, swallows, and other small birds that migrate at night. Particularly in Cyprus and Italy, over 1 million birds are killed each year by local hunters who engage in the questionable practice of sport hunting.
Celebrating Birds in the Field
Ornithologists observe the bird celebration in the field. At the beginning of April, bird migration is at its peak. This period is particularly fascinating for birdwatching, as we can see many winter visitors who have not yet left, as well as numerous migratory birds passing through our region on their way to their northern breeding areas. Moreover, many of our local species are returning to their nesting sites, and some birds are even beginning to nest during this time.
Birdwatching opportunities abound in our countryside. You can visit a bird observatory at New Castle Pond in Zahrádky, explore the nature trail Heřmanický Pond in Ostrava, or check out the Choryňská stráž trail in the Vsetín region. Waterfowl also favor nesting near Lednice Castle in the NPR Lednické rybníky, particularly in the park area between the Minaret and the castle, as well as at the nearby ponds close to Apollo’s Temple. The Třeboň region is another refuge for various bird species. If you’re looking to spot wildlife, we suggest a trip to the ponds near the village of Frahelž, located close to Lomnice nad Lužnicí. These ponds, charmingly named Hope, Love, and Faith, provide opportunities to see a sea eagle and hear the melodious song of the nightingale.
You can also enjoy the lovely sounds of singing birds on nature walks in various stunning locations, including the Křivoklát region, the Krkonoše Mountains, Šumava, the Jizera Mountains, the Broumov area, the Elbe Sandstone region, the Doupov Mountains, Podyjí, the Beskydy Mountains, Jeseníky, or Kralický Sněžník. All of these areas are classified as Bird Areas of the Czech Republic. The Czech Ornithological Society is continually creating new bird parks throughout the country. These parks are areas that have been left fallow for a significant time and are now being developed into diverse habitats to support many bird species and other wildlife. Currently, we have seven such parks: the Josefovské louky (Josefov Meadows) Bird Park, Mnišské louky (Monks’ Meadows), Zbudovská bogs, Kosteliska u Dubňan, Malá Lipová, Rzy u Chocně, and Střimická výsypka (Střimice excavation site).
