Birding in Geneva : Photo Walk at Marais de Sionnet 30.09.17
Female Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) at Marais de Sionnet, Switzerland.
Despite a bad weather forecast, our group of 10 had a stunning sunrise with the most beautiful light. The excursion started with the call of a Tawny Owl and the observation of a Red Fox walking in the dark.
Once we started walking, we quickly heard hundreds, if not thousands, of Common Starlings. Marais de Sionnet is a great roosting place for the species. With the first rays of sun appearing behind Les Voirons mountain, watching them starting their day was a fabulous show. After a few minutes, they all took off and formed a famous murmuration. Mind blowing.
We ended spotting more than 30 bird species, including a Peregrine Falcon, a Northern Wheatear and 3 Ruffs. Here is the checklist :
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Common Teal (Anas crecca)
Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Eurasian Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
Stock Dove (Columba oenas)
Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)
Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
