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SWITZERLAND 2025 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mcnswiss2
- Start date
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
Had a very good time birding thyis weekend. We visited the lake of Consgtance on Saturday, starting of near Stein am Rhein. Lots of different duck, with some showy Pochards. Both Golden Eye and Caspian Gull had been reported there, but we could only found the Caspian Gull. There were alsome some pipits, I assume Water Pipit, but will post a photo later. We then had a quick meal in a local restaurant, called Raven -- none were seen though.
We then crossed the borter to have a look from the otherside of the lake at the Wollmatinger Ried near Konstanz. A beautiful area, with actually lots of Roe Deer seen, I think I counted 27! I also got a very nice photo pf a Kingfisher. Most birds were pretty far away though, partially due to the ice on the lake. I had hoped to see some Bearded Reedlings, but actualy the reeds had been mowed, so little change for those I guess.
On Sunday we walked around the Flachsee -- an impressive amount of White Storks were present, more than a 100 flying in near dusk. We also some some Shellducks and Northern Shovelers, and both Great Crested and Little Grebes. Didn't see the reported Bittern though. Also lots o Greylag Geese were around, and we did spot the Barnacle Goose -- though it is litsed in eBird as and escapee.
Lastly, I saw the most relaxed fox I've ever seen. It was resting under a tree on one of the small islands near the bank in plain sight. It was yawning soimetimes, and didn't move even when two Magpies hopped right past it!
We then crossed the borter to have a look from the otherside of the lake at the Wollmatinger Ried near Konstanz. A beautiful area, with actually lots of Roe Deer seen, I think I counted 27! I also got a very nice photo pf a Kingfisher. Most birds were pretty far away though, partially due to the ice on the lake. I had hoped to see some Bearded Reedlings, but actualy the reeds had been mowed, so little change for those I guess.
On Sunday we walked around the Flachsee -- an impressive amount of White Storks were present, more than a 100 flying in near dusk. We also some some Shellducks and Northern Shovelers, and both Great Crested and Little Grebes. Didn't see the reported Bittern though. Also lots o Greylag Geese were around, and we did spot the Barnacle Goose -- though it is litsed in eBird as and escapee.
Lastly, I saw the most relaxed fox I've ever seen. It was resting under a tree on one of the small islands near the bank in plain sight. It was yawning soimetimes, and didn't move even when two Magpies hopped right past it!
Attachments
dalat
...
It was a red-throated...
Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
And the Snow Bunting?……
Because the beer is cheaper than Switzerland?
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
And I'm back home for a while. Haven't had much birding lately but had a surprisingly nice day on Kaferberg a couple days back during a warm sunny spell where I saw all 6 Tit species, 4/5 Woodpecker species (no Lesser Spotted which is really uncommon there) and Hawfinch.
I've also been to Katzensee a few times, including at dusk with the thermal and managed a LOT of Snipe, several foxes, a weasel, a lot of deer, a Long-eared Owl, and finally (with a bit of a tip on a specific location from a friend) a Woodcock, my first time finally seeing one on the ground, which was really nice.
I've also been to Katzensee a few times, including at dusk with the thermal and managed a LOT of Snipe, several foxes, a weasel, a lot of deer, a Long-eared Owl, and finally (with a bit of a tip on a specific location from a friend) a Woodcock, my first time finally seeing one on the ground, which was really nice.
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
There's a bit more bird-life on the Kaferberg these days; I also saw my first Coal Tit this week -- still missing Crested though. I did see a nice Tawny Owl a couple of weeks back though.
The amount of Snipe at the Katzensee is indeede quite impressive, the thermal imager reveals them quite well. Biggest flock I saw was nine. I have't seen the Jasck Sniope or Woodcock though; quite a few Bitterns, but not always easy to see.
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
When the birds are not too horrendously distant nor too awfully burried in grass, I have been able to tell Jack Snipe from Common Snipe in the past based upon size alone. As well, Jack Snipe are way less likely to flush than Common Snipe, I've been able to get pretty close to them once or twice (gum boots or a desire to get your feet wet are usually necessary). I've not yet figured out how to discern a Woodcock from a Snipe in the thermal but perhaps a newer/better thermal is the answer there (or rather, that crap excuse is what I need to convince myself to get a new thermal!).
Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
Thanks Chaps for the updates.
Quiet out there..a few winter specials still reported:
Quiet out there..a few winter specials still reported:
- Horned Grebe at Freienbach, and Birsfelden
- Common Scoter at Grangettes and Bolle di Magadino
- Black Backed Gull at Ermatinger Becken
- Pygmy Cormorants inseveralplaces including Grangettes
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
Not much new this weekend, but I did run into my first Black-Redstart of the year. Spring migration might just be around the corner!
Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I've still not birded a lot here locally, once a week or so and pretty half hearted. I did take advantage of the warmth yesterday afternoon to do some frightfully muddy but still enjoyable mountain biking. Took a solid hour to get the mud out of everything including my nose and teeth, much less the bike and all my clothes.
Today however I got bored with computer work and decided to endure the wet a bit and went to Irchelpark just to get out for a bit. Was rewarded though with two new birds for the park, Hawfinch and N Pintail, quite a surprise for a soggy half hour's effort!
Today however I got bored with computer work and decided to endure the wet a bit and went to Irchelpark just to get out for a bit. Was rewarded though with two new birds for the park, Hawfinch and N Pintail, quite a surprise for a soggy half hour's effort!
