Switzerland 2022…and all that Jazz! (1 Viewer)

[Richard Prior]

Several Kittiwakes reported in Rheinhafen Basel, Morges, Rapperswil and Preverenges. Normally the birds do not survive long in these environment.

Yes, to prove your point Mike: Détail de l'observation - www.ornitho.ch
Some Little Gulls associated with this ‘wreck’ too, on Lake Geneva/Leman yesterday. Still, some of the Kittiwake have filtered down the Rhône ( reports from the Haute Savoie/Savoie border yesterday and today) so perhaps they’ll get down to the Med before their energy runs out.🤞

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Thanks Richard, I hope so…
Several more reports of Kittiwakes at Vingelz, Grangettes, and Port Ouchy.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

And worse another 8 to 10 reports including at Pully, Birsfelder Stau, Morges and Crudrefin. I hope some survive.

 

[Richard Prior]

And worse another 8 to 10 reports including at Pully, Birsfelder Stau, Morges and Crudrefin. I hope some survive.

Sadly a few found dead while a few others continue to be seen heading down the Rhône. As well as the odd Little Gulls, a rarer lost seabird today, a Sabine’s Gull in a village in the Jura at 900m altitude, that’s almost 3000ft in ‘old money’! : Détail de l'observation - www.ornitho.ch

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Sabines gull seen in Bern region. More information on Ornitho.ch

 

[Richard Prior]

Sabines gull seen in Bern region. More information on Ornitho.ch

There’s an echo in here (see my post 324)!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Just testing!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Further winter species arriving :

1. Tundra Bean Geese
2. Common Diver
3. Pacific Golden Plover
4. European Golden Plover
5. Ring necked duck
6. Kittiwakes

Still waiting on the Waxwings

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Pine Bunting seen in TI.
Smew seen in Fanel.
My favourite place for Smew is in Inkwilsee.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

More Winter birds arriving ( minus 8 in Basel last night):

• Greater Scaup in Schlichti
• Smew in Fanel
• Long tailed Duck in Hagneckdelta

How long before the Waxwings appear?

 

[Mike Montier]

Is there a more handsome duck than a Smew Mike?
What a capture of this stunner.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A few more wintery species arrived. Temperatures here are below freezing.

• Tundra Swan at Flachsee
• Horned Grebe at Augst Wyhlen
• Great Black backed Gull at Rapperswil
• Pied Avocet at Lake Constance.
• Spoonbill at Hagneckdelta

 

[Richard Prior]

Also a ‘new’ Kittiwake at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, two weeks after the last sightings, looks to be a healthy ( for now at least..) 1st winter bird from photos on Ornitho.ch

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Smew seen at Klingnauersee.
Still very cold and quiet here.
Today, we took a trip to St.Ursanne. Quiet but sun was out for first time for a week.
The wallcreeper showed at the Church for a few brief minutes. Several Ravens flew overhead. A few Crossbills were heard.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Snow bunting at Crudrefin and Common Scoter at Steinachmundung.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Proof that the Sun is out and the Sky is Blue!
A local walk in the woods was really pleasent. 2 Greater Spotted, 1 Green and 1 Blackwoodpecker seen. Jays, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatches, Great and Blue tits singing.
Walking back I Heard a Commotion behind me; then a Sparrow Hawk shot over my head.
Long may the good weather hold.

 

[Richard Prior]

Long may the good weather hold.

Well, the rain isn’t due to start till this evening Mike
At least it will be mild and wet instead of cold and wet for the next few days ( it’s being so cheerful that keeps me going…).
I see the Snow Bunting is still present at Fanel/ Cudrefin, boy does that site get some cracking birds!!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Richard, Always the optimist!
I hate the long walk up the canel and back along the other side at Fanel, however you are right, some stonking birds seen there.
And not so far away Krummi which also has some nice birds.
I think I will start a birders Ferry from one side of the Canel to the other

 

[Richard Prior]

What a brilliant idea! 5CHF per person to be rowed across, you could be onto something there, it’s certainly a slog to walk both sides in one visit

 

[Mcnswiss2]

At the AltRhein at Augst, there were several reports of Greater Scaup and Black necked Grebe mentioned.
The weather was as Richard predicted however there were a few bright spots.
From the Swiss side no sign of the target birds; they must be on the German side.
Some 20 Goosander, 10 Great White Egrets, Tufted Ducks, Cormorants, Pochards, Buzzards, etc were seen.
Great views of Kingfishers and Sparrowhawk were seen.
Walking along I heard two Crows attacking a buzzard. Next moment the Buzzard dropped its prey…it was a half eaten hedgehog!
Put me off my lunch!