Switzerland 2024 (10 Viewers)

[Mcnswiss2]

Back from the warmth of Mallorca. Strange to wake up to the sound of Crows, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Magpies and Jays that are so rare in the Spanish Island.
Black legged Kittiwake on its last legs seen at Yverdon.

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Swiss weather -- on Sunday afternoon we decided to drag two garden chairs out of the cellar and enjoyed the sunny 17 degree weather for a bit. This morning, this was the view during my commute:



Correspondingly, the birds were also rather subdued this morning. Much more quiet than the other days, with only some Song Thrushes, Great Tits and the occasional Carrion Crow heard. Positively, after seeing a number of Black Squirrels, I saw the first Red Squirrel of the year this morning.

 

[pbjosh]

Black Squirrel is a color morph of Red Squirrel, correct? I guess you're not referring to North American Eastern Gray Squirrels which are invasive in Italy and the UK and Ireland at least but I thought were not in CH (yet)?

In any case, I should apparently pay more attention to the color of the few squirrels I see

 

[dalat]

Yes, same species, and no Grey ones here ..

 

[Mcnswiss2]

First trip out..no rain but still cold. Visited Nuglar, Seltisberg and Augst with friends.
Some 45 Species seen or heard including:

• Eagle Owl
• Kingfishers
• Sparrowhawk
• Fieldfare
• Redwing
• Red Kites
• Common Buzzards

A nice Coypu (Nutria) was also seen.
It's great to be out there..roll on better weather and migration.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

I saw this nice link on Bird Forum on Swiss Birding.
Thanks Frank for helping those folks asking such information.

Category:Switzerland - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

 

[Frank van Drogen]

I saw this nice link on Bird Forum on Swiss Birding.
Thanks Frank for helping those folks asking such information.

Category:Switzerland - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Cool, always willing to be helpful.

But, can't take any credit for the Opus entry.....

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Decided to visit Klingnauersee. I normally avoid birding there at weekends due to dog walkers, cyclists, Roller bladers etc.however such wonderful weather today.
Some 50 species seen or heard including:

• Ruddy Shellduck
• Curlew
• Greylag Geese
• Kingfishers
• Wrens (so many)
• Great White Egret

The Great Bittern showed well. Bearded Tit was heard.
Great to get out there!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Bird of the Day -Sparrowhawk.

There seems to be at least 25 reports per day of this species and I have seen several this year.
Have they made a comeback? What a great Bird!

I attach an extract from the Swiss Birding Atlas

https://www.vogelwarte.ch/modx/assets/files/atlas/info_amtsstellen/Swiss Atlas 2013-2016_E_low.pdf

 

[pbjosh]

I've seen 3 Sparrowhawks in the last 10 days or so. One clearly a migrant, the other two in the forest so hard to say. I typically see perhaps 1-2/year locally so I assume it's a mixture of timing it with their migration + a bit of luck.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

I took a gamble today on the weather as the forecast was rain, rain and rain...and headed off to St.Ursanne.
Another bird that is showing well at the moment is the Wallcreeper, which was my target today.
Two birds were seen on the Viaduct and one heard in the Town near the Abbey.
This is one of the most reliable areas for them.
Also in the region, recent sightings included Nuglar (I saw Yesterday), Duggingen, and Pfeffingen.

 

[pbjosh]

I couldn’t not take advantage of the warmth and sun today, and got out to Höhronen again on a last minute whim.

A pretty nice morning, highlights for me being a Three-toed WP and a singing Dunnock.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Wow nice Three toed WP..where abouts?
Is the Moorland worth a visit?

Moorweg Rothenthurm | Switzerland Tourism

The high Biber valley, the plain between Rothenthurm and Biberbrugg, ranks as an especially beautiful moorland area of national importance. The well-signed moorland path passes through this unique protected moorland (a model for moor conservation in Switzerland).

www.myswitzerland.com

Best places I have found them were at Glaubenberg and Beatenberg.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

One of my favourite Winter Sites is up at Melchsee Frutt (OW).
Todays weather was wonderful. Despite the full car park of Skiers, the area is so large that walks along the snow ploughed paths are very enjoyable.
This is a great site for Alpine Choughs (50), Snowfinch (3),Ravens, and although not seen today , Ptarmigan, Alpine Accentors, Linnets, Redpolls, Golden Eagles, Lammergier, etc. can be seen.
The scenery today was stunning.

 

[pbjosh]

The Three-toed WP was somewhere around 47.1616, 8.7075 give or take, the S side of the ridge and still not too far from Biberbrugg (where I usually take the train to for Höhronen). I've noticed in the past that that pre-alp area to the N of the Thuner/Brienzersees seems a good area for them, but I've not made it over there - it's a bit of a haul from Zürich. Now that the weather is getting a bit better I'm hoping to explore a bit further afield as time allows, probably doing combo train + bike outings as I find sorting out all the logistics for a train + postbus + lift more hassle than I'm willing to go through, frequently, for simple day trips. I've noticed that for Höhronen you could just take the train to Schindellegi and cycle up the paved road most of the way to the top, lock up your bike somewhere, and spend more time birding the high parts. Or combine it with a day of mtn biking if that's your thing. Flims/Laax looks like it would work well like this also.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Many Reports of Black Storks and Cranes today around the Basel area…typical as I am away!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Took the oppertunity to visit Unterschachen in Uri.
This area is great for Wallcreepers, Golden Eagles and Lammergeier.
However, it was not to be.
The area is also good for Dippers and Gems(Chamois) which did showup.
Back North tomorrow, hopefully for the Black Storks.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Black Winged Kite at Mohlin…sigh..Please stay till tomorrow!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

BW Kite seemed to pass on..however Black Storks and Hen Harriers reported in Mohlin.
On the way back to Basel I called in at Wauwiler Moos. The best place for breeding Lapwings. Some 35 birds looking for nesting sites.
Quiet at the tower, apart from seeing 4 Roe deer, 2 Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Teals, Long tailed tits, Sparrowhawk and a Red Kite.
Other birds reported there today included Goshawk, Yellowhammers, White Storks.

 

[pbjosh]

Had a super muddy but quite fun bike ride today, with some hot springs in the middle. Birdwise I didn't have bins but wished I had as I had a likely Goshawk perched in a tree at dusk on the way home.

I think we'll be washing mud off of everything and ourselves for the next two days.