Private Birding Tour at Lake Neuchâtel / April 2023

Meeting in the city of Neuchâtel in the early morning under a cloudy sky, we go to the edge of the Broye canal in order to visit one of the most famous corners of Switzerland for bird watching: the Fanel.

Located to the northeast of Lake Neuchâtel, this natural area has many environments ranging from lakes to forests, also including islands for birds and stopover sites for migrants. Barely out of the car, we hear our first singers in a morning concert along the edge of the forest. Common Blackbird, Blackcap, Nuthatch, but also Common Nightingale and Common Cuckoo are heard.

Photo Bastien Guibert

In the distance in a field feed a few Greylag Geese and a hare. We arrive at a first observatory overlooking an area of reed bed and a large pasture punctuated with ponds.

Photo Bastien Guibert

This is the typical habitat of the Reed Bunting which can be admired singing from its perch. A Savi’s warbler also does us the honor of emitting its characteristic song clearly. Along the Broye, Warblers and Wrynecks are active.

Photo Bastien Guibert

Arrived further on the trail, we have a breathtaking view of the reserve and the lake. The sky has now cleared and the weather is great.

Photo Bastien Guibert

A few Northern shovelers and Gadwalls are hiding among the Red-crested Pochards. We are also lucky to come across several species of waders on stopover which are infrequent guests in our country. Among them are notably observed the Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Common Greenshank as well as various Ruffs. A series of stakes in the lake serve as a resting place for a variety of birds, including recently arrived Common Terns parading in the area - a beautiful sight. A few Mediterranean Gulls are also hiding in the group. Before leaving, we can also observe an Egyptian Goose and a Ruddy Shelduck, two exotic species escaped from captivity.

After a good picnic on the tables in the shade of a large tree, we enter the Sauge nature center in the hope of seeing different species and perhaps the Common Kingfisher. As soon as we entered the site, we could see several frogs in the first pond as well as many newts. Above us circle Black Kites and among them, several Eurasian Hobby. Higher up, a large raptor catches our eye; it's a Golden Eagle! A nice surprise given the location, it is a rather alpine species and had never before been observed above the nature center.

Arrived at the first observatory, we see a Common Kingfisher a few seconds before it disappears. But patience allowed us to observe it again several times, feeding a female at the nest! A family of Eurasian Coots and a Gray Heron also inhabit the small pond. We then go to the second observatory, where we discover two other species of waders that we had not seen that day; the Wood Sandpiper and the Black-winged Stilt!

Photo Bastien Guibert

This is followed by beautiful sightings of these birds, as well as Little Grebes frequenting the pond and a Red-backed Shrike scanning its territory from the top of a bush. Just before leaving, our attention is drawn to two birds in flight; Glossy Ibis come to rest on the site! Their plumage is superb and allows us a last beautiful observation before leaving the place, very happy with this very successful day.

Bastien
Guide Salva Fauna