Monitoring of bird migration in the Alps

• Monitoring of postbreeding movements and autumn migration of birds:
  • Phenology and the change of migration timing in the light of climate change
  • Occurrence and abundance of bird species and their changes
• Monitoring the birdlife at the Col de Bretolet
• Documenting the occurrence of other animal groups at the Col de Bretolet
• Informing visitors about the birds at Col de Bretolet, the phenomenon of bird migration, and the Swiss Ornithological Institute

If weather conditions permit, throughout the day between the beginning of August and finishing at the end of October, passing birds are caught with mist nets, ringed, examined, and released. In addition to information on species, age, and sex, information on the body condition and plumage of each bird is collected. During the day, the visible bird migration is qualitatively and quantitatively recorded with the help of observation lists as completely as possible.

Volunteering
Every autumn from the beginning of August to the end of October, volunteers help with the ringing of migrating birds. Volunteers have the opportunity to witness bird migration over the Col de Bretolet and gain exciting insights into the monitoring of the bird migration phenomenon. Interested people who would like to volunteer for at least one week, who are at least 18 years old, who are able to move securely in the mountains, and who can manage with the very basic infrastructure of a mountain hut should contact the Bretolet team at the beginning of the year, stating their personal details and providing information about their own experience in ringing and handling wild birds.

• Familie Mariétan, Alpage de Berroi
• Commune Champéry
• Service des forêts, des cours d’eau et du paysage du Canton du Valais
• Réseau Chauve-Souris Valais