Bird Watching in Switzerland

The stork colony near Selzach is internationally known as a breeding station and nurturing environment for white storks. Sometimes over a hundred storks live there. Altreu can be reached easily by train via Selzach and by Aare river steamers from Solothurn or Biel.

Picture: White Stork

The special topography of this mountain pass offers experienced hikers many opportunities for bird watching, especially during the fall migration between August and October. If you are interested in the ringing of birds, you can volunteer from May to October.

Picture: Black Redstart

The Fanel and Chablais reserves are located in Switzerland’s largest reed belt, where the Broye Canal flows into Lake Neuenburg. The nature reserves are internationally important as resting places for water birds. In the La Sauge Nature Center one can even observe kingfishers. It is easy to reach by train, bus and ship.

Picture: Kingfisher

A stroll through Geneva can be easily combined with bird watching. Geneva’s Harbor Bay, especially the Pâquis-Dam, is well suited for watching the birds during their migration period in autumn, but also for observing the feathered winter guests.

Picture: Caspian Gull

The Kaltbrunnerriet is situated in the Linthebene (Linth Plain) and can be easily reached on a short walk from the Uznach train station. From spring to fall you can quietly observe from the top of two towers the seagull colonies as well as falcons and many other water and wading birds, some of which are rare species.

Picture: Little Grebe

On the 1.5 square kilometer reservoir lake between Klingnau and Kleindöttingen, shortly before the confluence of the Aare and the Rhine rivers, you can observe water and wading birds easily all year round. Markers on the observation tower provide information on the species of birds, which visit most frequently, and when they visit.

Picture: Shoveler

The nature reserve extending for approximately 1000 meters around the Etang de Gruère, the thousand-year-old pond in the peat bog near Saignelégier, is an ideal and popular place for observing birds, animals and plants. The postal coach (Postauto), or the Jura trains, will take you there.

Picture: Red Crossbill

The Rhône Delta on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva is an internationally significant resting place for migrating songbirds and an important habitat for water and wading birds. So far over 250 species have been observed here.

Picture: Common Tern

The Bolle di Magadino around the estuaries of the Ticino and Verzasca rivers in the Upper Lago Maggiore is among Europe’s important meadow landscapes. In spring and fall it is a much-visited resting place for migrating birds after or before their flight across the Alps.

Picture: Little Ringed Plover

You can hardly get closer to eagles, falcons, hawks or eagle owls than at the Galina Falconry. It offers a professional show with falcons, which are as swift as a shadow, as well as an unusual hiking tour with a rented hawk to accompany you.

Picture: Black Kite

In Central Europe’s oldest national park, which is located at the Ofen Pass, over 100 species of birds are found. To see the most impressive one, the bearded vulture, you need a bit of luck. Postal cars run from the Zernez train station to the starting points of popular hiking tours that lead to the Val Stabelchod or across the Buffalora and Schera mountains.

Picture: Bearded Vulture

The Neeracherried is one of the last great low-moor bogs in Switzerland. Extending over 105 hectares it is a habitat for breeding-birds, among which some very rare species can be found. It is also an important resting place for myriads of migratory birds. Two observation huts and a permanent exhibition offer amazing insights into the life of birds.

Picture: Black headed Gull

The 21-hectare Lake Flachsee between Rottenschwil-Brücke and Bremgarten came into existence through damming the Reuss River. There is plenty of parking space. The postal coach serves this attractive nature reserve all year round. Visitors regularly encounter the Graylag Goose, Little Egret, Cormorant and many other water birds.

Picture: Great Egret

Near the subterranean lake of St-Léonard, on the left side of the Rhône River, a wetland has been created due to the altered riverbed. The low-moor bog attracts a large number of migratory birds, especially in April and May.

Picture: Tufted Duck

The vast meadows, agricultural fields and pastures near Altstätten are a secret tip among ornithologists for observing certain bird species, especially during the time of their migration.

Picture: Common Sandpiper

Near this historic town with its richly painted houses thousands of resting and over-wintering ducks can be encountered, especially during the cold season. Ideal observation spots are found on the small Island of Werd and along the riverbanks as far as Eschenz.

Picture: Common Pochard

Bird watching is great fun, besides being very relaxing. You should, however, have the proper gear and observe a few basic rules.

Eine kleine Auswahl aus über 30 Naturmuseen in der Schweiz, die besonders attraktive Vogelabteilungen haben.