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| − | [[Image:Niederhorn1.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Wintibird|Wintibird}}<br/>View Gemmenalphorn]] | + | [[Image:Niederhorn1.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Wintibird|Wintibird}}<br/>View from Gemmenalphorn]] |
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The Niederhorn is a mountain in the Bernese Oberland. It's easy reachable and a good place for many mountain species, | + | The Niederhorn is a mountain in the Bernese Oberland in [[Switzerland]]. It's easy reachable and a good place for many mountain species, especially [[Citril Finch]]. |
==Birds== | ==Birds== | ||
| + | [[Image:Eigermoenchjungfrau.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Wintibird|Wintibird}}<br/>View from Niederhorn to Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau]] | ||
Birding season starts in mid or late May, depending on the snow situation. Check carefully the conditions in spring. It can still snow in June! | Birding season starts in mid or late May, depending on the snow situation. Check carefully the conditions in spring. It can still snow in June! | ||
| − | Easy to see: [[Black Grouse]], [[Rock Ptarmigan]] (Gemmenalphron) | + | Easy to see: [[Black Grouse]], [[Rock Ptarmigan]] (Gemmenalphron), [[Common Kestrel]], [[Common Cuckoo]], [[Black Woodpecker]], [[Water Pipit]], [[Tree Pipit]], [[Alpine Accentor]] (Gemmenalphorn), [[Black Redstart]], [[Ring Ouzel]], [[Lesser Whitethroat]], [[Western Bonelli's Warbler]] (at least easy to hear), [[Goldcrest]] and [[Common Firecrest]], [[Willow Tit]] (race montanus), [[Crested Tit]], [[Spotted Nutcracker]], [[Alpine Chough]], [[Citril Finch]], [[Eurasian Siskin]] |
| − | Other species | + | Other species need some more luck or patience. [[Hazel Grouse]] can be heard in the forests. [[Pygmy Owl]] and [[Tengmalm's Owl]] both occur in the forests. So do [[Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker|Three-toed Woodpecker]] and [[Capercaillie]]. However both species are very hard to see.<br /> |
| + | [[Wallcreeper]] is regularly observed, often close to Gemmenalphorn. In some years [[Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush]] can be found on sunny, southern slopes. | ||
===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
| − | + | In the last few years[[ Eurasian Griffon Vulture]]s are often seen circling around in June and early July. | |
===Check-list=== | ===Check-list=== | ||
| − | {{BirdsSee|[[ | + | [[Image:Ibex.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Wintibird|Wintibird}}<br/>Alpine Ibex]] |
| + | {{BirdsSee|[[Eurasian Goshawk]], [[Eurasian Sparrowhawk]], [[Common Buzzard]], [[Black Kite]], [[Red Kite]], [[Golden Eagle]], [[Common Kestrel]], [[Peregrine Falcon]], [[Hazel Grouse]] (very difficult to see), [[Rock Ptarmigan]], [[Black Grouse]], [[Western Capercaillie]] (very rare), [[Rock Partridge]] (rare), [[Common Cuckoo]], [[Pygmy Owl]], [[Tengmalm's Owl]], [[Common Swift]], [[Alpine Swift]], [[Green Woodpecker]], [[Black Woodpecker]], [[Great Spotted Woodpecker]], [[Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker|Three-toed Woodpecker]], [[Eurasian Skylark]], [[Eurasian Crag Martin]], [[Barn Swallow]], [[Water Pipit]], [[Tree Pipit]], [[Grey Wagtail]], [[White Wagtail]], [[Eurasian Wren]], [[Hedge Accentor]], [[Alpine Accentor]], [[European Robin]], [[Black Redstart]], [[Whinchat]], [[Northern Wheatear]], [[Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush]], [[Ring Ouzel]], [[Eurasian Blackbird]], [[Fieldfare]], [[Song Thrush]], [[Mistle Thrush]], [[Lesser Whitethroat]], [[Garden Warbler]], [[Blackcap]], [[Western Bonelli's Warbler]], [[Common Chiffchaff]], [[Goldcrest]], [[Common Firecrest]], [[Spotted Flycatcher]], [[Willow Tit]], [[Crested Tit]], [[Coal Tit]], [[Blue Tit]], [[Great Tit]], [[Wood Nuthatch]], [[Wallcreeper]], [[Eurasian Treecreeper]], [[Spotted Nutcracker]], [[Eurasian Magpie]], [[Eurasian Jay]], [[Yellow-billed Chough]], [[Carrion Crow]], [[Common Raven]], [[Common Starling]], [[House Sparrow]], [[White-winged Snowfinch]], [[Chaffinch]], [[Citril Finch]], [[European Greenfinch]], [[European Goldfinch]], [[Eurasian Siskin]], [[Eurasian Linnet]], [[Lesser Redpoll]], [[Common Crossbill]], [[Eurasian Bullfinch]], [[Yellowhammer]] }} | ||
==Other Wildlife== | ==Other Wildlife== | ||
| − | + | Alpine Ibex is easily seen on the ridge and some of the animals are almost tame. Chamois are also often around, Marmots siffle everywhere and can also be seen. | |
| − | |||
==Site Information== | ==Site Information== | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Gemmenalp.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Wintibird|Wintibird}}<br/>Gemmenalphorn, view to Burgfeldstand]] | |
===History and Use=== | ===History and Use=== | ||
| − | + | The Niederhorn is a touristic place and famous for its panoramic views. Most of the area is protected and especially in the forest you should not leave the marked paths. | |
===Areas of Interest=== | ===Areas of Interest=== | ||
| − | + | ====Beatenbucht (572m)==== | |
| − | + | [[Red-crested Pochard]] can be seen on the lake and [[Western Bonelli's Warbler]] sings near the station. | |
| + | ====Beatenberg (1121m)==== | ||
| + | In the forests around Beatenberg lowland and mountain species start to mix. [[Red Kite]] is regularly seen here. | ||
| + | ====Vorsäss (1580m)==== | ||
| + | Here you can board or leave the cable car. [[Citril Finch]], [[Eurasian Siskin]], [[Eurasian Linnet]] and [[Spotted Nutcracker]] are easy to find here. | ||
| + | ====Niederhorn (1934m)==== | ||
| + | Just around the summit you might find [[Ring Ouzel]], [[Citril Finch]], Chamois and Alpine Ibex. Best time is early in the morning. Either spend the night up here or take the very first cable car up. [[Black Grouse]] can be seen from the restaurant in early morning. | ||
| + | ====Ridge from Niederhorn to Gemmenalphorn (2061m)==== | ||
| + | A good path leads along this ridge. [[Rock Ptarmigan]] lives here, [[Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush]] in some years and [[Alpine Accentor]] are usually around Gemmenalphorn. After Burgfeldstand the path gets narrow at some places and you need good walking boots and should not be afraid of heights! In spring, snow sometimes blocks the path. Watch out for [[Wallcreeper]] in the cliffs! | ||
| + | ====Burgfeld forest==== | ||
| + | The forests below the ridge are the habitat of [[Capercaillie]], [[Pygmy Owl]], [[Tengmalm's Owl]], [[Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker|Three-toed Woodpecker]] and [[Hazel Grouse]]. However, all these species are difficult to find and only rarely seen. It is not allowed to leave the paths! | ||
| + | ====St. Beatus Höhlen==== | ||
| + | At these caves near the lake [[Wallcreeper]] is sometimes seen around the entrance and in the cliffs above the caves. | ||
===Access and Facilities=== | ===Access and Facilities=== | ||
| − | + | The journey up to the Niederhorn starts at Beatenbucht. You can reach Beatenbucht by bus (Nr 21) from Thun or Interlaken. Thun and Interlaken are well connected to the Swiss Railway system. Alternatively you can reach Beatenbucht by boat from Thun but you will need more time for this. Beatenberg is reached by cable car from Beatenbucht or by bus from Interlaken.<br /> | |
| − | + | On the top of the Niederhorn the Berghaus Niederhorn offers some accomodation and food. More hotels are found in Beatenberg and of course in Thun and Interlaken.<br /> | |
| + | A one day excursion would be to go to the top early in the morning, spend some time around the Berggasthaus, then follow the path along the ridge to the Gemmenalphorn. From there you can go down to Oberberg and Chüematte and walk back to the Niederhorn or Vorsäss through the forest. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | + | * [http://www.niederhorn.ch/en/ Official Website of Niederhorn] | |
| − | + | * [http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en? Railway timetable] | |
| + | * [http://map.geo.admin.ch/?Y=629228&X=173910&zoom=6&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo.pixelkarte-farbe&lang=de Niederhorn on Swiss Map] | ||
| + | * [http://maps.google.ch/maps?q=thun&hl=de&ll=46.711531,7.781539&spn=0.020392,0.050211&sll=46.813187,8.22421&sspn=2.605298,6.427002&t=h&hnear=Thun,+Bern&z=15 Niederhorn on Google Maps] | ||
[[Category:Switzerland]] [[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Swiss Alps]] | [[Category:Switzerland]] [[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Swiss Alps]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:54, 20 April 2024
Overview
The Niederhorn is a mountain in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It's easy reachable and a good place for many mountain species, especially Citril Finch.
Birds
Birding season starts in mid or late May, depending on the snow situation. Check carefully the conditions in spring. It can still snow in June!
Easy to see: Black Grouse, Rock Ptarmigan (Gemmenalphron), Common Kestrel, Common Cuckoo, Black Woodpecker, Water Pipit, Tree Pipit, Alpine Accentor (Gemmenalphorn), Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Lesser Whitethroat, Western Bonelli's Warbler (at least easy to hear), Goldcrest and Common Firecrest, Willow Tit (race montanus), Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, Alpine Chough, Citril Finch, Eurasian Siskin
Other species need some more luck or patience. Hazel Grouse can be heard in the forests. Pygmy Owl and Tengmalm's Owl both occur in the forests. So do Three-toed Woodpecker and Capercaillie. However both species are very hard to see.
Wallcreeper is regularly observed, often close to Gemmenalphorn. In some years Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush can be found on sunny, southern slopes.
Rarities
In the last few yearsEurasian Griffon Vultures are often seen circling around in June and early July.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Eurasian Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Golden Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Hazel Grouse (very difficult to see), Rock Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie (very rare), Rock Partridge (rare), Common Cuckoo, Pygmy Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Water Pipit, Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Eurasian Wren, Hedge Accentor, Alpine Accentor, European Robin, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Common Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Tit, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wood Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Eurasian Treecreeper, Spotted Nutcracker, Eurasian Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Yellow-billed Chough, Carrion Crow, Common Raven, Common Starling, House Sparrow, White-winged Snowfinch, Chaffinch, Citril Finch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill, Eurasian Bullfinch, Yellowhammer
Other Wildlife
Alpine Ibex is easily seen on the ridge and some of the animals are almost tame. Chamois are also often around, Marmots siffle everywhere and can also be seen.
Site Information
History and Use
The Niederhorn is a touristic place and famous for its panoramic views. Most of the area is protected and especially in the forest you should not leave the marked paths.
Areas of Interest
Beatenbucht (572m)
Red-crested Pochard can be seen on the lake and Western Bonelli's Warbler sings near the station.
Beatenberg (1121m)
In the forests around Beatenberg lowland and mountain species start to mix. Red Kite is regularly seen here.
Vorsäss (1580m)
Here you can board or leave the cable car. Citril Finch, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Linnet and Spotted Nutcracker are easy to find here.
Niederhorn (1934m)
Just around the summit you might find Ring Ouzel, Citril Finch, Chamois and Alpine Ibex. Best time is early in the morning. Either spend the night up here or take the very first cable car up. Black Grouse can be seen from the restaurant in early morning.
Ridge from Niederhorn to Gemmenalphorn (2061m)
A good path leads along this ridge. Rock Ptarmigan lives here, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush in some years and Alpine Accentor are usually around Gemmenalphorn. After Burgfeldstand the path gets narrow at some places and you need good walking boots and should not be afraid of heights! In spring, snow sometimes blocks the path. Watch out for Wallcreeper in the cliffs!
Burgfeld forest
The forests below the ridge are the habitat of Capercaillie, Pygmy Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker and Hazel Grouse. However, all these species are difficult to find and only rarely seen. It is not allowed to leave the paths!
St. Beatus Höhlen
At these caves near the lake Wallcreeper is sometimes seen around the entrance and in the cliffs above the caves.
Access and Facilities
The journey up to the Niederhorn starts at Beatenbucht. You can reach Beatenbucht by bus (Nr 21) from Thun or Interlaken. Thun and Interlaken are well connected to the Swiss Railway system. Alternatively you can reach Beatenbucht by boat from Thun but you will need more time for this. Beatenberg is reached by cable car from Beatenbucht or by bus from Interlaken.
On the top of the Niederhorn the Berghaus Niederhorn offers some accomodation and food. More hotels are found in Beatenberg and of course in Thun and Interlaken.
A one day excursion would be to go to the top early in the morning, spend some time around the Berggasthaus, then follow the path along the ridge to the Gemmenalphorn. From there you can go down to Oberberg and Chüematte and walk back to the Niederhorn or Vorsäss through the forest.
