I went to Zermatt in Switzerland (near the Matterhorn) in December 2004 and decided to bring my scope and camera with me. The result was well worth it - there is much to be seen even above 2000 metres in the middle of winter (temp at night often below inus 20 of colder).
Birds ween were as follows (all between 17th December and 31st December):
Species Where Altitude (metres)
Nuthatch Near Zmut 2200
Crested tit ditto ditto
Willow tit ditto ditto
Treecreeper ditto ditto
Longtail tit ditto ditto
Crossbill Riffelalp 2222
Alpine accentor Riffleberg 2600
Nutcracker ditto ditto
Snow sparrow Gornergrat 3000
Alpine chough Klein matterhorn >4000
Failed to see golden eagle, wall creeper, black grouse or rock partridge but some nice Ibex and chamois, along with a snowhare also seen.
One last point - be very careful when using your coolpix 4500 or other digital camera - most do not tolerate temps below freezing and the autofocus may jam or pack up altogether - est to keep it under jacket and take out only briefly when needed.
Also skiing with scope on back is harder than you would imagine...not to mention risk of being speared with tripod leg etc.
Breffni Martin
[email protected]
Birds ween were as follows (all between 17th December and 31st December):
Species Where Altitude (metres)
Nuthatch Near Zmut 2200
Crested tit ditto ditto
Willow tit ditto ditto
Treecreeper ditto ditto
Longtail tit ditto ditto
Crossbill Riffelalp 2222
Alpine accentor Riffleberg 2600
Nutcracker ditto ditto
Snow sparrow Gornergrat 3000
Alpine chough Klein matterhorn >4000
Failed to see golden eagle, wall creeper, black grouse or rock partridge but some nice Ibex and chamois, along with a snowhare also seen.
One last point - be very careful when using your coolpix 4500 or other digital camera - most do not tolerate temps below freezing and the autofocus may jam or pack up altogether - est to keep it under jacket and take out only briefly when needed.
Also skiing with scope on back is harder than you would imagine...not to mention risk of being speared with tripod leg etc.
Breffni Martin
[email protected]