© Marcel Burkhardt
Monitoring wintering waterbirds
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.
Aims
- Monitoring population trends and distribution of wintering populations of waterbirds.
- Identification of sites of international and national importance for waterbirds.
- Monitoring waterbird populations in waterbird reserves of international and national importance listed in the federal inventory.
- Compiling basic information for the conservation of wintering waterbirds in Switzerland, in particular in the framework of the federal hunting legislation.
Approach
Volunteer collaborators of the Swiss Ornithological Institute count all waterbirds every year in mid-November and mid-January. All the major waterbodies and a number of smaller lakes and rivers in Switzerland are covered. In the waterbird reserves of international importance monthly counts are carried out in collaboration with regional organisations. Data are stored in a national database and forwarded to Wetlands International for incorporation in the database of the International Waterbird Census. Results are published in annual reports.
Significance
Based on the waterbird counts, the Swiss Ornithological Institute has compiled inventories of waterbird sites of international and national importance. These inventories served as the basis for the waterbird reserves established by the federal authorities.
Results
The most recent annual report (in German and French) can be found here. Previous reports are listed under publications.
Volume 6 of the series «Avifauna Report Sempach» gives an overview on the history of the census, population trends and the importance of Switzerland and the main lakes and rivers for waterbirds outside the breeding season. The report is available in German and French.
In addition, detailed results can be downloaded via the following Excel files:
- Overall Swiss population of all species from 1967 (January) or 1991 (November) until 2018/2019.
- Number of individuals per species and site: season 2018/2019
- Proportion of overall Swiss population in reserves of international importance: season 2018/2019
- Monthly population numbers in each reserve of international importance: season 2018/2019
Project management
Partners
The Federal Office for the Environment FOEN supports the monitoring programme.
Wetlands International
Publications
Habitat- and species-mediated short- and long-term distributional changes in waterbird abundance linked to variation in European winter weather.
Überwinternde Wasservögel in der Schweiz: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2018/2019.
Überwinternde Wasservögel in der Schweiz: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2017/2018.
Überwinternde Wasservögel in der Schweiz. Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2016/2017.
Recent changes in the abundance of Common Pochard Aythya ferina breeding in Europe.
Seeking explanations for recent changes in abundance of wintering Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) in northwest Europe
Wintering Waterbirds in Switzerland. Results of the Swiss Waterbird Census 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2013/14 in der Schweiz. Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau : Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2013/14 en Suisse
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2012/13 in der Schweiz. Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2012/13 en Suisse
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2011/12 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2011/12 en Suisse.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2009/10 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2009/10 en Suisse.
Number and distribution of Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in Switzerland in January 2009.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2008/09 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2008/09 en Suisse.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2007/08 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2007/08 en Suisse.
Gli uccelli acquatici svernanti sui laghi ticinesi: una panoramica sui risultati dei censimenti dal 1967.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2006/07 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2006/07 en Suisse.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2005/06 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2005/06 en Suisse.
Winterbestände der Wasservögel am Aare-Stausee Niederried 1951/52-2005/06.
Monitoring Überwinternde Wasservögel: Ergebnisse der Wasservogelzählungen 2004/05 in der Schweiz / Monitoring hivernal des oiseaux d'eau: Résultats des recensements des oiseaux d'eau 2004/05 en Suisse.
Informationen Corona-Virus
Gemäss den Corona-Regelungen des Bundes bleibt das Besuchszentrum bis am 28. Februar 2021 geschlossen.
Unsere Vogelpflegestation funktioniert wie gewohnt weiter. Vögel nehmen wir täglich (Montag-Sonntag) von 09.00-12.00 und von 13.30-17.00 Uhr entgegen.
Aufgrund der verschärften Corona-Massnahmen sind unsere Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter grösstenteils im Home Office. Bitte haben Sie Verständnis, wenn wir momentan nicht alle Anfragen sofort bearbeiten können.
Wir sind Ihnen dankbar, wenn Sie uns primär per Mail kontaktieren, ausser in Notfällen.
Herzlichen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.
Ihre Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
Informations sur le virus Corona
Selon les mesures de la Confédération contre le coronavirus, le centre de visite sera fermé jusqu’au 28 février 2021.
Notre station de soins fonctionne normalement. Nous réceptionnons les oiseaux tous les jours (lundi-dimanche) de 09.00 à 12.00 et de 13.30 à 17.00.
En raison des mesures Covid plus strictes, la plupart de nos employés télétravaillent depuis leur domicile. Nous ne sommes actuellement pas en mesure de traiter toutes les demandes immédiatement. Nous vous serions reconnaissants de bien vouloir nous contacter principalement par courrier électronique, sauf en cas d'urgence.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension.
Votre Station ornithologique suisse de Sempach
Informazioni virus corona
In conformità alle misure della Confederazione contro il coronavirus, il Centro visite è chiuso fino al 28 febbraio 2021.
Il nostroCentro di cura per uccelli continua a funzionare normalmente. Gli uccelli vengono presi in consegna giornalmente (lunedì-domenica) dalle 09.00 alle 12.00 e dalle 13.30 alle 17.00.
A causa delle misure più severe di Corona, la maggior parte dei nostri dipendenti si trova nei loro uffici di casa. Vi preghiamo di comprendere che non possiamo elaborare tutte le richieste di informazioni immediatamente. Vi saremmo grati se poteste contattarci principalmente via e-mail. In caso di emergenza, tuttavia, siamo naturalmente a vostra disposizione. Grazie per la vostra comprensione.
La vostra Stazione Ornitologica Svizzera
Informations concerning the corona virus
Due to the measures taken by the Swiss government against the coronavirus, the visitor centre will be closed until February 28th 2021.
Our bird care station continues to operate as usual. We accept birds daily (Monday-Sunday) from 09.00-12.00 and from 13.30-17.00.
Due to the stricter Corona measures, most of our employees are in their home offices. Please understand that we cannot process all inquiries immediately. We would be grateful if you could contact us primarily by e-mail. In case of emergency we are of course available for you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Your Swiss Ornithological Institute