Birding Bolle di Magadino

A little over a week ago I visited one of the best birding areas in Switzerland, the Bolle di Magadino in Ticino, near the town of Locarno. Rare birds such as Pallid Harriers, Great Snipe, Woodchat Shrike and even a first record for Switzerland, the Vinous-throated Parrotbill, an exotic bird with a small population in northern Italy.

I took the train to the town of Sant Antonino and planned to bird my way to Gordola on my bike, aiming for Woodchat shrike, Ortolan bunting and Red-throated Pipit. I planned to stop and look for Vinous-throated Parrotbill but didn't expect to see them since they are apparently very hidden in the reeds.

I went to the Woodchat shrike location and eventually found it on a post not too far away. It exhibited typical shrike behaviour, flying from the perch to catch insects in the air and on the ground. This was my first time seeing the species in Switzerland, and it was a beautiful bird.

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Right behind the shrike was the area of reeds where the Vinous-throated Parrotbills had been reported. I walked into the reeds and sat down because I figured I'd be there a while. While I waited I listened to their calls on my phone. After 20 minutes or so, I heard the calls from the reeds but I was unable to find the Parrotbills and they soon vanished. I was happy I heard them at least but I wished I had gotten to see this extremely rare species.

I then biked to an area near an airfield where Ortolan buntings had been reported, but found only a few Pied flycatchers, although it was cool to bike through an area of a small country road labeled 'danger zone' because it was in the path of planes taking off and landing at the airfield. On the way back I discovered a confiding Tawny pipit at the side of the road, a cool bird to find yourself.

Yellow Wagtail and cow's head

Tawny Pipit

Tawny Pipit

On my way to Gordola, I finally found an Ortolan bunting in a field. I was scanning the field when I noticed a small bird land on the field, quite close to where I was standing. I watched for around 30 seconds before it flew away, but I got a good view.

I took the train back to Bellinzona from Gordola after my successful birding trip.