SWITZERLAND 2025 (3 Viewers)

[Frank van Drogen]

Still no Bluethroat on my year list, even though spending about 6 hours this weekend at the Katzensee.

Got me some nice species regardless, including these two.



(messed up the date it seems -- must be ahead of time!!)

 

[bittern]

Quite a sight with 206 White Storks in the fields around Geneva this morning after arriving yesterday evening. The first Hoopoes have also appeared.

Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Frank, 5 or 6 Bluethroats have been reported at Klingnauersee. I hope to go later in the week.
I had a walk above Basel at Oberwil/ Biel Benken to search for Black Storks, Cranes or Alpine Swifts flying over...of course I dipped again.
Some 30 species seen or heard including Rooks, GS Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Red Kites, Serins, Black Redstarts, Linnets.
My Merlin picked up Barn Swallow however I never heard or saw any.

 

[pbjosh]

I've been really enjoying the better weather the past week + to do some leisure birding and to do a lot more biking. Nothing earth shattering bird wise but it's been nice to see the first migrants, it's nice to hear Chiffchaffs singing from every third tree, the spring feeling is really nice!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Krummi is the place worth a visit. Use ebird.
View attachment 1633860

Frank..get back there!!!
Breaking news:

• Black Winged Kite

Reported at Krummi.

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Still didn't get the Bluethroat; but I tagged on with some very good birders and saw my first Penduline Tit ever this evening at the Katzensee (well actually, Busisee -- same difference).

 

[pbjosh]

Still didn't get the Bluethroat; but I tagged on with some very good birders and saw my first Penduline Tit ever this evening at the Katzensee (well actually, Busisee -- same difference).

Ooooh I was just starting to think the timing was good for Penduline Tit and I wouldn't mind seeing them again, it's been a while! Hopefully I can make it in the next couple days to try my luck.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Weather turned for the worse..rain and cold.
Hoped to find Bluethroats at Klingnauersee, but no luck.
However some 50 Species seen or heard including Male Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawks, Red and Black Kites, Green, GS and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, GreenShank, Curlews, Pintails, etc.
2 Young Coypus seen.
Still waiting for Alpine Swifts and Swallows.

 

[jurek]

First Willow Warbler is singing outside my window. I had a small flock of Swallows 10 days ago already.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Sunny morning so decided to head for Augst/Ergolz. Nothing special but some 30 species seen or heard including so many singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
The only unusual bird was a single Canada Goose. Almost certainly an escapee.
Great to be out.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Bird of the day:

• Pygmy Cormorant

Reported in several places including Augst where I was yesterday...Sigh

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Visit to Waulwilmoos.
One of my favourite sites.
Some 30 species seen or heard including Stonechat, Red and Black Kites, Breeding Lapwings, Buzzards, Great White Egrets, White Storks, etc
Nothing special this time but the site has delivered Black Winged Kites, Montague Harriers, etc
Great to be out.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

At Ruessdelta (UR). Bitter wind but sun has finally come out.
One of the best places to see Eider Duck ( along with Rapperswil) but no luck so far.
Some 35 Species seen or heard including Goosanders, Greylag Geese, Red Crested and Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks, etc.
Saw my first House Martin of the year.
Hopefully more species after lunch.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A few more species seen including a nice Grey Wagtail.
Yellow Wagtails have also been reported here recently.
A few photos.

 

[Brosnabirder]

At Ruessdelta (UR). Bitter wind but sun has finally come out.
One of the best places to see Eider Duck ( along with Rapperswil) but no luck so far.
Some 35 Species seen or heard including Goosanders, Greylag Geese, Red Crested and Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks, etc.
Saw my first House Martin of the year.
Hopefully more species after lunch.

The Reussdelta was a good place for Eider, but there have been no records from there on ornitho since January 2022. It looks like there was just a lone male in the area for around five years before that. I haven't seen one there for about 12 years, but it's not a regular spot for me.

The issue could also be that people haven't been submitting records for Eider from Uri for a while. Most likely that population has now disappeared, which may point to a population decline in invasive bivalves. Hopefully, that's the situation.

In any case, as you say, Rapperswil, around the wooden walkway, is a good spot. I travel to Rapperswil a few times a year from Lucerne, and usually see them from the train. There's also the bonus of an impressive winter stork roost on the island with bushes on it. Think that's a fairly recent phenomenon.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Thanks Brosnabirder. I am always optimistic that Eiders will turnup.
5 reported recently at Rapperswil.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Wow..the discussion continues...
Is it a Common Loon, Yellow billed Loon or Hybrid seen at Gwatt ( Thun)?
I gave twitched the Yellow Billed Loon at Lake Constance in the past ( dipped)...if it is here, then maybe worth a visit!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A local trip to Birsfelder, Augst, Seltisberg and Nuglar with friends.
A great day out with some 40 Species seen including Black and Red Kites, White Storks, Fieldfares, Wrens, and so many Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
Stars of the day included Horned or Slavonian Grebe and Eagle Owls.
Dipped on possible Wallcreeper and Pygmy Cormorant.

 

[jurek]

Swiss Wallcreepers seem to have very large home ranges and spend much time hidden in rock holes. Visiting a reportedly good place for Wallcreeper with recent observations, I usually don't see one. I seen Wallcreepers well several times, but perhaps on 1/3 of trials.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Best place for wallcreepers for me is on the viaduct at St.Ursanne. It's possible to walk underneath the viaduct by the campsite/ River.
In winter they also are found on the Abbey.