Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked Central European country dominated by the Alps, which cover much of its southern and eastern territory. Between the Alps and the lower Jura Mountains lies the densely populated Swiss Plateau, containing rolling farmland, forests and many of the country's largest lakes. Alpine landscapes range from deep valleys and conifer forests to high meadows, glaciers and rocky peaks above 4,000 metres. Major rivers including the Rhine and Rhône originate in or pass through Switzerland, and large lakes such as Geneva, Constance and Neuchâtel provide important freshwater habitats. Climate varies strongly with elevation and between the wetter northern slopes, high mountains and comparatively dry inner-Alpine valleys.
Overview
Switzerland is particularly rewarding for Alpine and montane birds. High mountains support Alpine Chough, Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Rock Ptarmigan and Golden Eagle, while Wallcreeper can be found around suitable cliffs and rocky valleys. Forests hold Black Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker and Eurasian Pygmy Owl, and Lammergeier has successfully returned to the Alps following reintroduction. Major lakes and wetlands, including Lake Neuchâtel and the Fanel reserve, attract breeding and migrating waterbirds. Switzerland's exceptional public transport, mountain railways, cable cars and hiking network make high-altitude birding unusually accessible, although some specialties still require demanding walks. The country has few unique birds, but its combination of spectacular Alpine habitats and excellent infrastructure makes it one of Europe's easiest destinations for mountain birding.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrion Crow Corvus corone | 64.8% | 71.3% | 70.8% | 72.4% | 68.7% | 63.2% | 53.5% | 48.8% | 53.0% | 59.7% | 69.9% | 74.8% | 71.8% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 57.9% | 58.3% | 60.1% | 70.2% | 74.2% | 72.2% | 63.8% | 46.4% | 35.3% | 38.5% | 55.3% | 59.3% | 61.0% |
| Great Tit Parus major | 56.2% | 63.3% | 68.9% | 71.0% | 67.5% | 54.2% | 40.1% | 32.9% | 40.8% | 49.5% | 60.6% | 63.1% | 62.2% |
| Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs | 49.4% | 48.9% | 52.1% | 63.1% | 61.8% | 55.2% | 52.4% | 37.2% | 29.2% | 31.8% | 51.4% | 56.5% | 53.6% |
| Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus | 47.2% | 56.9% | 60.3% | 59.1% | 55.9% | 39.7% | 28.0% | 26.0% | 34.9% | 40.6% | 52.0% | 56.9% | 56.4% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 46.1% | 44.9% | 46.7% | 49.7% | 48.9% | 52.0% | 51.6% | 48.8% | 41.7% | 37.2% | 43.7% | 45.2% | 43.4% |
| Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | 43.5% | 48.7% | 46.6% | 48.2% | 52.1% | 44.2% | 31.6% | 28.5% | 37.4% | 41.7% | 44.2% | 49.5% | 49.1% |
| Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus | 37.3% | 22.7% | 37.1% | 51.8% | 56.4% | 48.2% | 37.8% | 36.4% | 42.2% | 37.8% | 34.1% | 22.3% | 21.2% |
| European Robin Erithacus rubecula | 37.2% | 41.5% | 39.5% | 53.2% | 43.1% | 27.2% | 24.3% | 17.0% | 18.4% | 28.0% | 53.4% | 54.9% | 45.8% |
| Eurasian Coot Fulica atra | 35.4% | 39.2% | 39.5% | 40.5% | 43.8% | 37.1% | 27.0% | 25.8% | 31.3% | 32.3% | 32.2% | 37.7% | 37.9% |