Lying in Central Europe at the very heart of the continent landlocked Czech Republic has some wonderful bird habitats: old-growth conifer and deciduous forests, traditionally worked farmlands, innumerable old fish-farms and vast peatbogs. Yet for most "western" birders it is still a largely unknown destination.

The most westerly of the formerly so-called "eastern bloc" countries the Czech Republic is dominated by Bohemia, and its diverse habitats and landscapes. Bohemia is blessed with high mountains, rolliong hills, dense forests, mires, marshes, riverine woods and in particular numerous fish-ponds (see Where to Watch Birds in Eastern Europe). And, of course, there is the capital Prague which besides being one of Europe's most stunningly attractive and culture-rich cities is home to Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers amongst others. The international airport here (Ruzyne) is 10 km north-west of the city and can be reached on direct flights from most major European and several North American cities. If visiting South Bohemia (home of fish-ponds dating from the Middle Ages) then Vienna airport in adjacent Austria is an option, too. With the possible exception of the harshest winter months (December & January) Bohemia is worth birding all year round, but as with most European countries spring is overall best. In April woodpeckers (all European species are present) and owls are still calling and by May migrant raptors, warblers and flycatchers have returned.
 

South Bohemian bird areas include the Sumava National Park, in the south-west on the border with Bavaria, where there are extensive peat-bogs and forests with Black Grouse leks, 7 species of woodpecker, Redwing, Ring Ouzel, Nutcracker, and Ural, Tawny, Tengmalm's and Pygmy Owls. The Trebon Basin where a rich range of ducks cover the wetlands in spring, Collared Flycatchers and Short-toed Treecreepers call from the tree-lined dykes and White Stork nests seem to grace most villages is another of our favourite areas. The area around Ceske Budejovice it littered with good fish-ponds often set in wooded landscapes. The most famous of these is arguably the Dehtar Pond (15 km west of Budejovice) where a good range of breeding and passage birds occur.