The bird in the picture doesn't look like it has that peace of mind.

I love to do birdwatching in my holidays. Most of the time I rent a holiday home for me and my family, last year I stayed here and I was pretty satisfied when the children were playing in the backyard and I could sit in peace in the front of the house and listen to the birds. Birdsong is something peaceful. I agree in this point with alishekarfroush. It is nourishing for the soul to listen to the sound of nature - and only this sound. No cars, no planes, no neighbours shouting at each other. That moment during our holiday, when I sat in front of the holiday home, is my peronal perfect moment of the year 2010.

I also had the chance to see some special birds, for instance a hazel grouse - and since my favourites are the predator birds - I was especially excited when I saw a black kite.

What are your favourite birds to watch, by the way? I simply like the keen look of the predator birds, the way they are focused on their prey and their amazing energy when they attempt to get a catch. They are not the best singers, but BEAUTIFUL. Not in the same way as peacocks or flamingos of course. They have an elegance of their own. However, the song of the nightingale is much more thrilling. Did someone already manage to see one?