Competing to be the best twitcher

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Preparation is everything. Sandwiches are made in advance so that no time is lost during the race. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Ornithologists Patrick Wyss, Peter Jäggi und Lukas Leuenberger, from Härkingen in Canton Aargau, indulge in the traditional pasta meal at the Gantrischhütte, canton Bern, 1,600m above sea level. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

The race begins at 9pm with a cold beer. But while others are out looking for night birds, three contestants catch some sleep. At 5am they get up to catch the early bird. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Barely started and already the first incident: at 6am the first symptoms of cramp kick in. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Dawn approaches and time is ticking on. The riders dismount and make their way to the Leitern Pass, canton Bern, on foot. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

The Gantrisch region is a good place to spot birds of prey. They use the thermals to head South. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Normally the young men are four strong, but this year there are fewer. But this does little to change the routine of the established ornithologists. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

All eyes on the prize. At least three people in a group must spot a bird before it can be recorded. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Only non-motorised and public transport can be used during the race. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

The route passes through the Allmend region of Thun, canton Bern. Birds can be identified by the noise they make and not just by sight. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

The Gemshoger observation post at Fanel, a nature reserve that borders canton Neuchâtel. The lake, reeds, and birds of prey, can be spotted here. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Water birds can be spotted at La Sauge, a conservation centre on Lake Neuchâtel. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

No-one can afford to take a break so team spirit keeps the groups going as fatigue takes its toll. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

Lukas Leuenberger in an observation post concealed amongst reeds in La Suage. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

At the last minute a Snipe is discovered by its calls: the 24 hours have netted 130 different birds. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

A Crossbill is observed on a tree top. Ruben Hollinger / 13 Photo

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Which team of bird watchers and bird lovers can spot the most species of bird within 24 hours? That’s the aim of a sponsored “Bird Race”, which staged its 25^th edition this year.

The most successful team this year racked up 134 different birds, but it could not crack the record of 137.

The 25 teams of bird watchers spent a day travelling dozens of kilometres, spotting and recording the rarest as well as the more common birds in Switzerland. Excitement and thrills are part and parcel of this event. But the physical exertion should not be underestimated as contestants are only allowed to use their own muscle power (on foot or by bicycle), and public transport, to get around.

In advance of the race, there is a search for sponsors to donate money towards the protection of each bird species spotted along the way. Money collected from the 25^th Bird Race allows the Swiss Bird Protection Society (Bird Life) to fund a research project in the Grand Marais marshland area of the Bernese Seeland.

(Photos: Ruben Hollinger/13 Photo, Text: Gaby Ochsenbein/swissinfo.ch)