I can't wait to go away on holiday and discover some culture, explore unknown areas and see new things. How often do you hear people say that? I've said it myself before now. Yet when the weekend comes, do I explore the area around my house? Do I seek out culture and new things? Nope.
That's part of the philosophy behind ThamesWatch, a joint initiative between the RSPB and The River Thames Guide. A free bird identification sheet is available online and if you submit your results, a winner will be drawn from the entrants and could land themselves a cruise on the Thames. It runs from 27 April to 4 May.
ThamesWatch takes in the whole 215 mile length of the river and its tributaries. It's not a scientific study, it's mostly for fun but it's also a way for people to find out more about wildlife and the area they live in. Give it a go.
Don't forget to take a camera. You never know what you may see. If you're exploring the Thames somewhere around London and you're going by public transport, take a look at the Mind the Bird website before you go. We're running a photo competition in partnership with London Underground. The idea is to show off the birdlife found within a five minute walk of a tube station.
Transport for London are a major land owner in the Capital. Their tracks are green corridors linking the countryside to the heart of the City and a wealth of birds and other wildlife rely on this land for food, shelter and safe passage. We've had reports of pheasants living near Brixton tube station, woodcock near Westminster station and sparrows living in tube tunnels.
There's an adult and a children's category. Show us what's living in London. All entries can be viewed on the official Mind the Bird Flickr site. It's free to enter.
Both of these activities, ThamesWatch and Mind the Bird, are about discovery and giving yourself permission to take time to enjoy the world around you. They're free, easy to do and can be done individually or with family and friends. Make like a bird, be part of the world, stretch your wings and take flight.