The Whinchat depends on insect-rich, structured and late-mown meadows as breeding sites. Nowadays, the meadows are mown too early in the lowlands. This is why the Whinchat has disappeared from these areas and is practically only found at higher altitudes in the Jura and the Alps. But there, too, there is increasing pressure on the last intact populations: meadows are increasingly irrigated and fertilised and are mown earlier and earlier. In order for the Whinchat to breed successfully, large meadows are required with a share of at least 60% which is mown late.
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Agricultural Habitats
Topic
Species Recovery, Population Development, Habitat Promotion
Habitat
semi-open farmland, meadows and pastures
Project start
2001
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Claire Lischer
Project region
Fribourg, Grisons, Obwalden, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Valais
Project team members
Betroffene Vogelarten
Unit
Agricultural habitats
We promote wildlife-friendly agriculture with more high-quality and better-connected habitats, fewer artificial fertilisers and fewer pesticides.