swiss bird alert

Stopover site for waders at Yverdon-les-Bains

Stopover sites for waders are in short supply in Switzerland. While the quality of known stopover sites is continuously degrading, e.g. at Chablais de Cudrefin VD or Klingnauer Stausee AG, flooded fields on cultivated land are only available temporarily.

Yverdon
© Sylvain Antoniazza

Yverdon-les-Bains VD is located on the migration route of many waders. On the cultivated land of the adjacent plains of the Orbe, an area of 5 hectares was flooded for several weeks in autumn 2017 and spring 2019. This was a great success: Numerous species of waterfowl found a stopover site and the area quickly developed into a magnet for waders. During the flooding in spring 2019, 23 species of waders were recorded. Flocks of 100 Wood Sandpipers, 52 Ringed Plovers and 16 Temminck's Stints were as outstanding as a resting Glossy Ibis and Black-winged Stilt.

Black-winged Stilt
© Adrian Jordi

In the upcoming years the project will be refined and the search for a second site is ongoing. In cooperation with CH Club 300, Swiss Bird Alert has been supporting this project since January 2020. Every reported sighting counts: Per report we donate CHF 1.00 to the project. (In case of a large number of reports, we reserve the right to limit the total amount donated.)

The project is coordinated and supervised by the «Association Escales Limicoles - Agriculture» in cooperation with the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach and Nos Oiseaux.

Win-win für Zugvögel und Landwirtschaft

Video


Temminck's Stint
© Adrian Jordi