Population dynamics of Hoopoes Upupa epops and Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in the Valais: Annual report 2025

The fieldwork for the Hoopoe and Wryneck population ecology project continued, following the protocol of previous years, to monitor the population of the two species breeding in the more than 650 nest boxes installed in the Rhone Valley between Martigny and Sierre.
In 2025, 123 Hoopoe broods were recorded, of which 101 were successful. From these 101 broods, 569 chicks fledged (average: 5.6 chicks / successful brood). 154 different breeding adults were identified, of which 93 had already been ringed with an alphanumeric colour ring and could therefore be identified on photos taken by a camera trap installed at the nest box entrance.
29 Wryneck broods were recorded, of which 16 were successful. From these 16 broods, 93 chicks fledged (average: 5.8 chicks / successful brood). 24 different breeding adults were identified. Prior to the breeding season, 45 Wrynecks were captured with playback equipment, of which 10 were already marked. Two of these subsequently bred in our nest boxes.