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The best months are April and May (maybe also early June). The breeding species have arrived then and especially in April and early May many interesting migrants can be found as well. In winter some alpine species can be found as well like [[Alpine Accentor]] or [[Red-billed Chough]] which are higher up in spring and summer. | The best months are April and May (maybe also early June). The breeding species have arrived then and especially in April and early May many interesting migrants can be found as well. In winter some alpine species can be found as well like [[Alpine Accentor]] or [[Red-billed Chough]] which are higher up in spring and summer. | ||
| − | The chances to see [[Wallcreeper]] are very good. In the plain you will certainly find [[Stonechat]], [[Whinchat]], [[Wryneck]], with some luck [[Hoopoe]], [[Honey Buzzard]], [[Common Quail]], [[Dorngrasmücke]] and maybe migrants like [[Red-throated Pipit]] or [[Short-toed Lark]]. [[Red-footed Falcon]]s often stay here some days in early May. At the Felsensteppe [[Rock Bunting]] is easy, [[Ortolan Bunting]] more difficult. At Hohe Brücke [[Eurasian Crag Martin]] is breeding too. In the Pfynwald species like [[Black Woodpecker]], [[Woodcock]], [[Eurasian Nightjar]] and [[Common Sandpiper]] are breeding. Finally the forest fire area above Leuk offers views of [[Common Redstart]]s and [[Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush | + | The chances to see [[Wallcreeper]] are very good. In the plain you will certainly find [[Stonechat]], [[Whinchat]], [[Wryneck]], with some luck [[Hoopoe]], [[Honey Buzzard]], [[Common Quail]], [[Dorngrasmücke]] and maybe migrants like [[Red-throated Pipit]] or [[Greater Short-toed Lark]]. [[Red-footed Falcon]]s often stay here some days in early May. At the Felsensteppe [[Rock Bunting]] is easy, [[Ortolan Bunting]] more difficult. At Hohe Brücke [[Eurasian Crag Martin]] is breeding too. In the Pfynwald species like [[Black Woodpecker]], [[Woodcock]], [[Eurasian Nightjar]] and [[Common Sandpiper]] are breeding. Finally the forest fire area above Leuk offers views of [[Common Redstart]]s and [[Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush]]. |
===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
Revision as of 21:20, 17 May 2008
Overview
The Leukerfeld is a part of the valley ground between Leuk and Turtmann in the canton Wallis (or Valais) in southwest Switzerland. The Leukerfeld and its surroundings (Pfynwald, Felsensteppe, Hohe Brücke, forest fire area above Leuk) is a great place for mediterranean-alpine birding in Switzerland.
Birds
The best months are April and May (maybe also early June). The breeding species have arrived then and especially in April and early May many interesting migrants can be found as well. In winter some alpine species can be found as well like Alpine Accentor or Red-billed Chough which are higher up in spring and summer.
The chances to see Wallcreeper are very good. In the plain you will certainly find Stonechat, Whinchat, Wryneck, with some luck Hoopoe, Honey Buzzard, Common Quail, Dorngrasmücke and maybe migrants like Red-throated Pipit or Greater Short-toed Lark. Red-footed Falcons often stay here some days in early May. At the Felsensteppe Rock Bunting is easy, Ortolan Bunting more difficult. At Hohe Brücke Eurasian Crag Martin is breeding too. In the Pfynwald species like Black Woodpecker, Woodcock, Eurasian Nightjar and Common Sandpiper are breeding. Finally the forest fire area above Leuk offers views of Common Redstarts and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush.
Rarities
A nice list of mostly southern rarities in the last few years: Calandra Lark, Squacco Heron, Little Crake, Black-winged Stilt, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Subalpine Warbler, Western Orphean Warbler and many more.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Water Pipit, Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, White-throated Dipper, Winter Wren, Hedge Accentor, Alpine Accentor, European Robin, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Bonelli's Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wood Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, Yellow-billed Chough, Red-billed Chough, Carrion Crow, Common Raven, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Citril Finch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Linnet, Eurasian Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Rock Bunting
Other Wildlife
to do
Site Information
History and Use
to do
Areas of Interest
Leukerfeld
Turtmann (Airfield)
Felsensteppe
The northern slope of the valley has a unique flora and is called Felsensteppe (cliff steppe). There are several ways to explore this habitat. One is the path on the northern side of the river from the bridge at the lower end of the Feschel gorge to Leuk. Another possibility is the path from the Hohe Brücke down to the valley. Just follow the road a bit in direction to Bratsch and go down on the right side. Rock Bunting is breeding here, Ortolan Bunting sometimes. At dusk European Nightjar can be heard. Bonelli's Warbler is quite common and sometimes in summer Short-toed Eagles are seen. Rarities like Subalpine Warbler are always possible in April and May.
Hohe Brücke
The Hohe Brücke (=High Bridge) are in fact two bridges over the Feschel gorge. They're on the way from Leuk to the small village of Bratsch. You can also reach them by foot from the plain (small path going up west of Niedergampeln) or from Brentjong, just follow the yellow signs to Hohe Brücke. It's worth to spend some time here, especially on the old bridge. Wallcreeper is breeding here and can be seen all year round. Eurasian Crag Martins also breed, Common Kestrel too and sometimes Peregrine Falcon is passing overhead. In winter Red-billed Chough, Yellow-billed Chough and Alpine Accentor can be seen too.
Brentjong
The huge satellite station of Brentjong can be seen from all over the valley. You can reach it by car from Leuk (road to Guttet and Feschel) or by bus. The bus to Leukerbad stops at the junction to Brentjong from where you reach the station in 10 minutes. One possibility is to walk from here to the Hohe Brücke, just follow the yellow signs shortly after the station, leading to the right. Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Eurasian Wryneck or Eurasian Hoopoe may be found here. Common Raven, Peregrine Falcon, Crested Tit or Golden Eagles high in the air are other species which may be seen here.
Forest fire area above Leuk
2003 a frustrated local wanted some revenge and set fire to a forest. He created the biggest forest fire in Switzerland since centuries and the trees burnt down from the bottom of the valley up to the treeline. Now nature is coming back and so are the birds: Common Redstart is the most common bird here! Rock Buntings are everywhere, Citril Finches breed, European Serin, Tree Pipit and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush can be found too. You can reach the area also from the satellite station Brentjong. From the parking follow the road up to Guttet and go left after about 150m. Several paths are leading into the area from there.
Pfynwald
Access and Facilities
to do
