The mild winter weather means fewer birds are overwintering in Switzerland, according to the Swiss Ornithological Institute.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
Geese and gulls, which normally spend the coldest months at lakes in central Switzerland, are staying put in the North, spokesman Michael Schaad told the Swiss News Agency.
“If the weather conditions are favourable the birds conserve the energy they would expend on the journey and stay on in the North,” he said, adding “if it gets really cold, flocks of birds could still arrive.”
Bird species which breed in Switzerland and spend the winter in the South are similarly flexible, Schaad said. “Starlings, for instance, are also not moving as far as usual,” he said.
Should spring arrive early, birds which migrate only a short distance are likely to come back to Switzerland earlier, the ornithologist said. “They respond to warm weather and breed when there is enough food available.”
Birds which migrate further, such as swallows and pied flycatchers, are less likely to change their behaviour.
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.
Read more
More
Birdwatchers mobilise for autumn migration
This content was published on
Seasonal bird migration is in full swing. Millions of birds are travelling through Europe on their way south for the winter. On October 1-2 birdwatchers in many countries will be taking part in EuroBirdwatch, organised by BirdLife International – a global partnership of conservation organisations. EuroBirdwatch – BirdLife’s annual birdwatching event in Europe – is…
This content was published on
The Federal Environment Office and the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) recently launched an online map that indicates the latest wildlife protected zones to help people who go on ski tours and cross-country hikers on snowshoes to plan fauna-friendly routes. Like a lynx’s beautiful coat, the new internet map is covered with tiny spots – although…
This content was published on
The research on reed buntings by a Zurich University team has shed further light on the – still not yet fully known – effects of noise pollution on birds. Previous studies among certain species in Europe, Australia and North America have shown that city birds sing at a higher pitch than their country cousins. This…
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.