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Overview
Monte Generoso is situated between Lake Lugano and Lake Como in the far south of Switzerland close to the Italian border.
The flora and fauna of this part of the country is of great interest due to the combination of alpine species and more warmth-loving Mediterranean forms from the south. At its highest point Monte Generoso reaches more than 1,700m and much of the higher ground consists of bare rocky crags and alpine pastures. In recent years some of the meadows have been left undisturbed leading to scrub encroachment and others have been planted with conifers.
Below the pastures are forests of Birch, Chestnut and Beech with Lime, Ash and Hornbeam at the lower levels. Monte Generoso is a designated nature reserve and more than 130 bird species have been recorded.
Birds
Notable Species
At the highest levels birds typical of the Alps such as Alpine Accentor, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Wallcreeper and Rock Bunting can be seen as well as Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Alpine Swift and Eurasian Crag Martin around the high crags. Rock Partridge and Common Quail occur here and the meadows are home to Water Pipit and Tree Pipit, Northern Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush with European Stonechat, Whinchat and Cirl Bunting in the scrubby areas.
The forests and woodlands host Eurasian Eagle Owl, Spotted Nutcracker and Citril Finch as well as many other more widespread species. Warblers include Western Bonelli's Warbler, Melodious Warbler, both whitethroats and Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Common Nightingale are common in summer.
Passage periods bring a wider range of species to Monte Generoso, especially passerines.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Golden Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Partridge, Common Quail, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Tawny Owl, European Nightjar, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Wren, Common Dipper, Dunnock, Alpine Accentor, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Robin, Common Redstart, Black Redstart, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Common Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Common Jay, Spotted Nutcracker, Alpine Chough, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Chaffinch, European Serin, Citril Finch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Eurasian Linnet, Common Crossbill, Common Bullfinch, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Yellowhammer
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
This is a very popular area with tourists in summer and early morning visits are recommended for birding visits.
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
The ideal way to see a good range of birds is to stay at the hotel on the summit and there is a rack railway running up to it.
Alternatively there is plenty of hotel and hostel accommodation in local towns and villages.
Contact Details
To do
External Links
Monte Generoso on OpenStreetMap
Welcome Monte Generoso
Content and images originally posted by Steve
