Birding in Geneva : a morning walk at Marais de Sionnet
This friday I went to one of the best birding spots in Geneva area : Marais de Sionnet. For this beginning of spring, the weather was not good. It was cloudy, the light was poor, but birding in this area is always enjoyable. I stayed there for a couple of hours and had the chance to have some nice sightings. Here is the list of the 28 bird species I have seen, by alphabetical order :
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). The first ones of the year for me. The first sighting in Geneva canton was on March 9.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita). After seeing many at Teppes de Verbois the week before, I have spotted a good number of them again today. They are everywhere these days!
Common Coot (Fulica atra)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus). It is always a pleasure to see them coming back from their wintering grounds each spring.
Common Teal (Anas crecca)
Eurasian Blackbird(Turdus merula)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Little Owl (Athene noctua). 2 individuals on the same tree.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). A small flock was searching for food on the ground in a field.
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata). At least 3 couples were on the main pond.
Northern Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). This male came to perch on this wire close to me and sang for a few minutes. It was awesome.
And... 3 Red Deers!
I was sitting on the bench facing the main pond, and when I turned my head to the right, not even knowing why, I saw these three amazing and massive Red Deers crossing the path and running in the fields. It was a brief but incredible sight. I felt really lucky because it is pretty rare to see Red Deers at Marais de Sionnet.
I also looked for the Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) but no luck once again, even if it has been spotted there yesterday. Still hoping :)
Love Nature.
Jonathan
