Experience and report the arrival of migratory birds

The first white storks have already arrived at their nests, and other migratory bird species are on their way back to Switzerland.

BirdLife Switzerland invites the public to take part in the observation campaign «Spring Alive», to look out for five migratory bird species and report their first sightings. Participating in this Europe-wide survey offers a wealth of fascinating insights and learning opportunities about bird migration.

The barn swallow is known as a harbinger of spring — yet it is not the first of the five species observed as part of the Spring Alive campaign to arrive. The white stork returns first from its wintering grounds; the first birds have already reached their Swiss nests. Some of these storks are individuals that remained in Switzerland throughout the entire winter. Barn swallows follow around mid-March, with the cuckoo and common swift arriving in April. The rare European bee-eater is often not spotted in Switzerland until mid-May at the earliest. BirdLife Switzerland invites all interested people to explore the fascinating phenomenon of bird migration more closely and to take part in the Europe-wide Spring Alive observation campaign run by BirdLife International. Via the website www.birdlife.ch/springalive, participants can follow on an interactive map when and where the five migratory species — barn swallow, white stork, cuckoo, common swift, and European bee-eater — are arriving across Europe, and report sightings of these birds in Switzerland. Tens of thousands of observers from around 50 countries across Europe and Africa now take part in Spring Alive.

Remarkable feats of migratory birds

Migratory birds achieve remarkable feats: a barn swallow weighing just 20 grams, for example, flies nearly 10’000 kilometres twice a year between its wintering grounds in South Africa and its breeding area in Switzerland. «No wonder so many children and adults are fascinated by migratory birds,» says Eva Inderwildi, «Spring Alive» coordinator at BirdLife Switzerland.

40 percent of birds in decline

Such a long migratory route also harbours many dangers. It is particularly important that birds find intact stopover sites along the way where they can replenish enough energy. The destruction of their habitats in breeding areas, at stopover sites, and in wintering grounds takes a heavy toll on migratory birds. Over 40% of bird species that migrate from Europe to Africa have seen their populations decline over the past three decades. «This is why Spring Alive places great importance not only on gathering data, but also on raising awareness of the challenges facing migratory birds,» says Eva Inderwildi. BirdLife Switzerland, together with other BirdLife partners along the migration routes, is committed to preserving or restoring bird habitats.

Participation is simple

Everyone is warmly invited to take part in the «Spring Alive» campaign — families with children, school classes, and other groups are especially encouraged to join. Participation is easy: all the necessary information is available at www.birdlife.ch/springalive. Observers can enter online when and where they spotted their first white stork, barn swallow, cuckoo, common swift, or European bee-eater. The bird species being sought can be easily identified using the documentation provided on the website.

The Spring Alive project

Spring Alive is a European-African project launched by BirdLife International, the international umbrella organisation of BirdLife Switzerland. Its aim is to spark curiosity about nature in both children and adults, and to raise awareness of the need to protect it. The centrepiece of Spring Alive is a website in which 50 countries now participate. The public, and especially schools, children, and families, are invited to observe and report the return of five migratory bird species each year.

The project has its origins in Germany. In 1987, the BirdLife partner in Bavaria launched such an observation project. In 2006, BirdLife International took it over for Europe. In 2010, Africa was also included in the project, with the observation of the birds' return in autumn.

In addition to raising awareness, the project also has a scientific component. Collecting data over a long period of time is intended to provide insights into bird migration. It also aims to clarify whether the arrival dates of birds are shifting in connection with climate change. More on wildlife and environment and nature conservation.