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SWITZERLAND 2025 (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mcnswiss2
- Start date
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
Still, Hen Harrier or not, drinking tea instead of coffee in the morning is of course outrageous!!
Yesterday, I saw my first two House Martins for the year while going for lunch, and to Sand Martins early evening at the Katzensee. Almost feels like spring
(Didn't see Alpine or Common Swift yet, though)
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Frank van Drogen
Not so important
I gotta thank him there. First day sitting outside after work -- drinking a beer -- I saw your post and decided to get myself my bins, though very few birds visible. I was then focussing on what might have been a Black Kite, when I saw some swift like birds. 10 (!) Alpine Swifts, definitely not discernible by naked eye, lucky that I had the bins out!
A bit later, I saw another four, again while using the binds to look at a Black Kite
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I'm not an expert on Swiss birding but Alpine arrive well ahead of Common and depart well after...
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I go to Rapperswill a few times a year, usually on sunny days when it's otherwise cold / shitty weather. I really enjoy the wooden bridge despite your bins bouncing everytime a runner passes, and I really enjoy the walk along the lakefront S of the wooden walkway as well. I have always seen between about 4-10 Eider. I have no idea what the total population is but it seems small and stable.
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
And today was indeed lovely, I had a tri-bike-alon. Skipped the swimming and my back and knees are too broken for running, but three bike outings is not something that happens for half the year here, sadly. Went birding in the morning in glorious sun and had a surprise (Euro) Herring Gull fly over, first one I've seen in the air in Zurich I think. Then in the middle of the afternoon enjoyed my first day of the year doing a road ride in shorts and short sleeves, it was glorious, and the number of Blackcaps singing around Greifensee was formidable. Then in the late afternoon one more outing, hoping for another interesting migrant either stuck in a bush or flying over turned up nothing but the sun was still much appreciated!
Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
Yesterday have a trip to Klingnauersee with old friends.
Great weather. Some 50 species seen or heard including Black and Red Kite, Peregrine( Breeding in the Cooling Tower of the Nuclear Power Station at Laufenburg), Merlin, Savi Warblers, Barn Swallows, etc.
Some 15 Greylag Geese were there as well as one Greater White fronted Goose that I didn’t search for…dooh!
Apparently Black Stork and Osprey flew over before we arrived.
Great to get out there!
Great weather. Some 50 species seen or heard including Black and Red Kite, Peregrine( Breeding in the Cooling Tower of the Nuclear Power Station at Laufenburg), Merlin, Savi Warblers, Barn Swallows, etc.
Some 15 Greylag Geese were there as well as one Greater White fronted Goose that I didn’t search for…dooh!
Apparently Black Stork and Osprey flew over before we arrived.
Great to get out there!
Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
I’d take the Merlin over the goose anytime Mike, superb little falcons!
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
One Hoopoe was seen at the Katzensee last week, but I didn't know where. I was shown the location this morning, but no Hoopoes of course
Did see another Penduline Tit, and this years first Goshawk and Willow Warbler (for Zurich). large amounts of kites, between Red and Black probably 50 or 60.
Did see another Penduline Tit, and this years first Goshawk and Willow Warbler (for Zurich). large amounts of kites, between Red and Black probably 50 or 60.
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
Nothing really noteworthy for me, getting out a few times a week to local spots, enjoying the weather. First Common Redstart today, a pair of Dunnocks (I don’t seem to be able to find them as easily as Frank does locally), a Raven over the local patch and then heard from home which was a surprise… these aren’t exciting but hey it’s what I got
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
For the Dunnocks I cheat -- I find the same couple every day
Three Common Redstart at the Katzensee today and a first of the year (briefly heard but not seen) Nightingale.
Also got me a lifer, between the abundant Black-headed Gulls was one that looked a bit different:
Attachments
bittern
Well-known member
I expect so as they have bred two years running and several have already been seen this spring. Keep fingers crossed. Plenty of Wryneck around now and several singing Hoopoes.
Mike
