© Arto Juvonen
Nightjar
In the Valais, the endangered nightjar is promoted by thinning out pine forests.
Aims
The crepuscular nightjar inhabits open and sparse woodlands in dry and sunny areas. The southern slopes of the Valais between Martigny and Brig harbour the largest share of the Swiss population. This species has declined drastically in Switzerland over the last years.
Both the currently populated habitat and the potential habitat of the nightjar are to be improved with tailored forestry measures. Furthermore, the agencies' support has to be won for an integrative recovery strategy, which will contribute to a lasting improvement of the situation for the nightjar.
Approach
In the remaining downy oak and pine forests, clearings are created which can serve as breeding sites for the ground-breeding nightjar. These clearings also promote thermophilic insects and thus the basic food source for nightjars, which mainly hunt in open forests.
Over the past 15 years, clearings have been made in more than 25 forest stands to improve habitat conditions for the nightjar. The ongoing population monitoring by ornithologists of the Valais branch office of the Swiss Ornithological Institute serves as a control of success of these measures.
Significance
In Switzerland, the nightjar is classified as critically endangered on the Red List. Small populations persist in only a few regions. It may be possible to save the Valais population, the largest of the remaining populations, with the suggested measures and, in a later step, to extend such measures to remnant populations in other parts of the country. Therefore, this programme is of great importance for the national recovery of the nightjar. Orchids and butterflies are likely to also benefit from the implemented forestry measures.
Project management
Partners
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Kanton Wallis, Dienststelle für Wald und Landschaft
Swiss Association for the Protection of Birds SVS/BirdLife Switzerland
Conservation Biology, University of Bern
Publications
Vegetation structure and decreased moth abundance limit the recolonisation of restored habitat by the European Nightjar.
Habitat use and foraging ecology of the nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) in the Swiss Alps: towards a conservation scheme.
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.
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Ihre Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
Informations sur le coronavirus
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 coronavirus
In conformità alle misure della Confederazione contro il coronavirus, il Centro visite è chiuso fino al 28 febbraio 2021.
Il nostro Centro 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 coronavirus
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