Sunny and bright, quite cool.
A rather disappointing trip to see the Matterhorn. Landscape 'changed' through quarrying and spoil dumping.
Dipper, Mallard and Grey Heron seen during journey.
In Zermatt region a large and very distant bird seen soaring. A bird of prey but was hard to tell if it was a Buzzard or Golden Eagle, left undecided.
Chaffinch, Alpine Chough, House Sparrow and Collared Dove seen around Zermatt.
Sparrow and Chaffinch added in desperation!
8 species (including unidentifed bird), 0 new species.
Thursday, 3 November 1988
Wednesday, 2 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Grimsel Pass, Switzerland, 02/11/1988
Overcast, freezing cold.
Whilst waiting in car, largish bird of prey flapped over valley. Blunt wings, long tail and flight could only mean Goshawk.
Driving past Brienzersee lake a distant Mute Swan could be seen.
Up into the Grimsel Pass road a Buzzard and wedge-tailed, long winged Raven were identified.
On shape near road a winter coloured Chamoix picked its way across. More seen later on top of Pass along with a number of Ravens.
Alpine Chough's also seen in flocks over mountain peaks.
On lake at top of Pass two birds flew about, and, moving to get closer revealed two Cormorants, wintering inland, lacked white cheek patches so were probably juveniles.
A few Carrion Crows and Jays were seen on returning.
Disapointingly no Golden Eagles although terrain was ideal.
8 species seen including 0 new species.
Whilst waiting in car, largish bird of prey flapped over valley. Blunt wings, long tail and flight could only mean Goshawk.
Driving past Brienzersee lake a distant Mute Swan could be seen.
Up into the Grimsel Pass road a Buzzard and wedge-tailed, long winged Raven were identified.
On shape near road a winter coloured Chamoix picked its way across. More seen later on top of Pass along with a number of Ravens.
Alpine Chough's also seen in flocks over mountain peaks.
On lake at top of Pass two birds flew about, and, moving to get closer revealed two Cormorants, wintering inland, lacked white cheek patches so were probably juveniles.
A few Carrion Crows and Jays were seen on returning.
Disapointingly no Golden Eagles although terrain was ideal.
8 species seen including 0 new species.
Tuesday, 1 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil River Walk, Switzerland, 01/11/1988
Clear sky but shady and cold.
A confusing black capped Willow or Marsh Tit seen on a bush. Seemed to have glossy cap and after reference Marsh Tit is more likely to frequent the area.
Great Tit also seen flitting along path.
Tubby white-breasted bird on rock identified Dipper, and more were seen on rocks and flying along river.
Wren buzzing in bushes near arable land.
Grey Heron flew over Lauterbrunnental valley.
Whilst resting, Nuthatch climbed down a nearby tree.
Chaffinch and Carrion Crow were also seen.
9 species including 0 new species.
A confusing black capped Willow or Marsh Tit seen on a bush. Seemed to have glossy cap and after reference Marsh Tit is more likely to frequent the area.
Great Tit also seen flitting along path.
Tubby white-breasted bird on rock identified Dipper, and more were seen on rocks and flying along river.
Wren buzzing in bushes near arable land.
Grey Heron flew over Lauterbrunnental valley.
Whilst resting, Nuthatch climbed down a nearby tree.
Chaffinch and Carrion Crow were also seen.
9 species including 0 new species.
Monday, 31 October 1988
Kleine Schiedegg to Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, 31/10/1988
Bright and sunny but very cold.
Flocks of Alpine Choughs over Kleine Schiedegg and at Jungfraujoch where they were very tame, waiting for hand-outs!
Dark bird with strangely undulating flight led to an easy identification of a Nutcracker, a new species to me. 4 were seen at one time perched on cable car cables. Also birds were seen flying about Kleine Schiedegg which enabled close views revealing brown plumage flecked with white and a white triangle at base of tail, also stout beak.
Whilst waiting for Jungfraujoch train two birds floated into view, identified as Buzzards although rather pale.
At Jungfraujoch on ice field a flash of white against dark was enough to identify a Snow Finch, also a new bird. Only confusable with snow buntings which do not frequent the Alps.
4 species including 2 new species.
Flocks of Alpine Choughs over Kleine Schiedegg and at Jungfraujoch where they were very tame, waiting for hand-outs!
Dark bird with strangely undulating flight led to an easy identification of a Nutcracker, a new species to me. 4 were seen at one time perched on cable car cables. Also birds were seen flying about Kleine Schiedegg which enabled close views revealing brown plumage flecked with white and a white triangle at base of tail, also stout beak.
Whilst waiting for Jungfraujoch train two birds floated into view, identified as Buzzards although rather pale.
At Jungfraujoch on ice field a flash of white against dark was enough to identify a Snow Finch, also a new bird. Only confusable with snow buntings which do not frequent the Alps.
4 species including 2 new species.
Sunday, 30 October 1988
Elmpt to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, 30/10/1988
Holiday to Switzerland 1 of 9.
Mostly fair and quite bright.
Amazing number of Buzzards seen on car journey totalling 32.
10 Kestrels also seen and became less common further south.
Two large birds of prey mobbing and fighting between themselves first appeared to be a Buzzard and Osprey. After reference in books the pale bird was more likely to be a pale phase Buzzard, upping the total to 33 seen.
Lapwing and Starling on arable fields.
Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow in small numbers.
Great Tit at stop. Sparrowhawk chasing other small birds across motorway.
Black Headed Gull in small numbers also same with Woodpigeon.
Great Spotted Woodpecker undulating across motorway.
Grey Heron also seen flying across motorway.
Total species = 13 including 0 new species.
Mostly fair and quite bright.
Amazing number of Buzzards seen on car journey totalling 32.
10 Kestrels also seen and became less common further south.
Two large birds of prey mobbing and fighting between themselves first appeared to be a Buzzard and Osprey. After reference in books the pale bird was more likely to be a pale phase Buzzard, upping the total to 33 seen.
Lapwing and Starling on arable fields.
Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow in small numbers.
Great Tit at stop. Sparrowhawk chasing other small birds across motorway.
Black Headed Gull in small numbers also same with Woodpigeon.
Great Spotted Woodpecker undulating across motorway.
Grey Heron also seen flying across motorway.
Total species = 13 including 0 new species.
Sunday, 1 May 1988
Venokoten and Area, Germany, 01/05/1988
Hot and sunny.
All songbirds in full song on this lovely day.
Yellowhammer, Blackcap 'tack tack', Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Chiff Chaff, Nuthatch (appeared from nest-hole with seemingly some remaining down feathers, possibly a fledgling), Mistle Thrush, Great Crested Grebe (one pair nesting on lakeside), Buzzard, Mallard, Coot, Grey Heron, Jay, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, White Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (identified by clear musical song, after some time, first this year).
Long-Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Skylark.
28 species including 0 new species.
All songbirds in full song on this lovely day.
Yellowhammer, Blackcap 'tack tack', Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Chiff Chaff, Nuthatch (appeared from nest-hole with seemingly some remaining down feathers, possibly a fledgling), Mistle Thrush, Great Crested Grebe (one pair nesting on lakeside), Buzzard, Mallard, Coot, Grey Heron, Jay, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, White Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (identified by clear musical song, after some time, first this year).
Long-Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Skylark.
28 species including 0 new species.
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