A decline in kestrels in Switzerland’s central plateau region has been reversed, thanks to the installation of nesting boxes.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
The success is such that young birds are now migrating to new regions and thus strengthening other populations, says the Swiss Ornithological InstituteExternal link in Sempach, canton Lucerne.
Kestrels like to feed on rodents and are therefore “farmers’ friends”, the institute explains in a press releaseExternal link (in French). But they became rare on the central plateau in the 1960s, owing to impoverishment of the agricultural landscape and loss of breeding sites.
However, ornithologists understood the problem and began to install nesting boxes on farm buildings to compensate for the lack of natural sites. In total, more than 3,000 nesting boxes were installed.
‘Great success’
Volunteers have been counting kestrel chicks in nesting boxes for about 15 years. The data confirm that the installation of these boxes has resulted in an increase in the population of kestrels.
The benefits of nesting boxes are even greater than originally thought, says the institute, which calls the project “a great success”. Thanks to them, kestrels have more reproductive success, since nesting boxes are safer than natural sites such as rocky niches.
More
More
Making Switzerland a better place for birds
This content was published on
If you’re a crested tit in the woods, Switzerland is a great place to live. But if you’re a skylark you’re in trouble.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss vulture: shot by a hunter, killed by a golden eagle
This content was published on
A bearded vulture found dead in eastern Switzerland was injured by gunshot but probably died after losing a fight with a golden eagle.
This content was published on
Breeding pairs of bearded vultures, a vulnerable species, now have access to a new facility costing almost half-a-million Swiss francs.
This content was published on
The lapwing, which almost became extinct in Switzerland, has been voted Bird of the Year 2019 by nature conservation group BirdLife Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.