Wildlife More swifts in Swiss gardens than last year
Compared to last year, there are more swifts in Swiss residential areas. This is the result of a national bird census carried out by the nature conservation association Birdlife at the beginning of the month with the help of over 6000 volunteers.
13.05.2025, 08:27
SDA
The swift is now the second most widespread bird species this spring after the house sparrow, also known colloquially as the sparrow, according to the analysis published by Birdlife on Tuesday. Volunteer bird counters registered 14,263 swifts as part of the "Garden Bird Hour" count, which is significantly more birds of this species than last year (around 11,681).
According to the press release, the house sparrow remains the most widespread bird species. Birdlife counted around 23,500 sparrows, making them the top species not only in absolute numbers, but also in terms of distribution. Sparrows were sighted in almost 83 percent of all areas counted. The crow follows in third place in the statistics with around 10,500 birds.
The total number of birds decreased slightly compared to the previous year. Some typical species of settlement areas, such as the greenfinch and the serin, only appear in 22nd and 32nd place respectively in the ranking, according to Birdlife in the press release.
Settlement areas important for biodiversity
In addition to collecting data, the census also aims to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity in urban areas. Every person can actively contribute to the protection and promotion of birds and other animals in their immediate surroundings. Thanks to "varied" gardens designed "with native plants", there are now more bird species (12 on average) in populated areas than in agricultural and stone landscapes (7).
The "Hour of the Garden Birds" census was carried out in Switzerland for the eleventh time in a row this year. Between May 7 and 11, the volunteers went in search of birds in gardens, parks and on balconies.
