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Bird lovers are thrilled: an unusual spectacle can currently be observed in the sky over Langenthal. Thousands of bramblings perform an impressive dance every evening.
They have come a long way and are excited about the spectacle that will soon be presented to them: ornithologists from half of Switzerland have gathered in a forest clearing near Langenthal in the canton of Bern.
“This spectacle only happens every few years. I was here yesterday and just want to experience it again,” says Gaby Fierz from Unterentfelden. The nature lovers around her agree with her. It’s a spectacle of tons of bramblings, says Susanne Kaufmann from Liestal with a smile. Thousands of birds have flown from Scandinavia to Switzerland as winter guests – and delight the audience with their dance.
According to a rough estimate, up to a million bramblings could overwinter in Switzerland. There are bramblings in this country every winter. However, a mass arrival like this one only takes place every few years, as Livio Rey, biologist at the Swiss Bird Observatory in Sempach, explains.
“Firstly, we need a beech tree, which means a lot of beech nuts in the region. Secondly, there can be no snow. And thirdly, further north, where the bramblings normally overwinter in large numbers, there are poorer conditions, which means they don’t have as good access to food.” Then the birds moved southwards and formed large roosts near us, Rey continued.
Legend:
If there are a lot of beech nuts, thousands of bramblings are always in Switzerland – and create a real spectacle. (Picture from February 2000 of the Grauholzwald near Bern)
KEYSTONE/Alessandro della Valle
Spectacle to protect against birds of prey
But the birds don’t just do their hypnotic aerial games for fun. They are also said to confuse the sparrowhawks and buzzards that are hunting for prey. Those who escaped from the birds of prey eventually settle down in a tree and leave the audience with happy faces. «These bramblings, these formations, this background noise – and such a beautiful bird. “It’s really unbelievable,” enthuses ornithologist Livio Rey.
As long as there are enough beech nuts, the bramblings will probably stay in Switzerland for a while. They will move back to Scandinavia by March at the latest.