Since 1999, the populations of about 150 breeding bird species are surveyed in 267 1-km squares laid out as a representative grid across all of Switzerland. Annual population trend estimates are produced for about 70 of the more common and widespread species.
Since 1967 waterbirds are counted throughout Europe and in adjacent regions. This international waterbird census is coordinated by Wetlands International. The waterbird census is an important tool to estimate population size and trends of birds and to identify important wintering sites.
Information service - Monitoring rare breeding and visiting birds
Our Information service receives about 400,000 chance observations every year from volunteer birdwatchers all over Switzerland. For many species this provides reliable information on their spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence as well as on population trends.
The 2nd Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas (field work 1993-1996) is still a milestone in terms of its accurate depiction of the distribution of all Swiss breeding birds.
For the monitoring of population trends of bird species inhabiting small and localised habitats, special schemes are needed, as for example our monitoring scheme for birds breeding in wetlands.
