The Red-billed Chough is a real rarity! The Binntal Nature Park is home to the largest group in all of Switzerland's regional nature parks. The park is committed to preserving their habitat in the mountains.

Initial situation

The Red-billed Chough depends on open meadows with short grass for foraging and on rock faces for nesting. Only 70 to 80 breeding pairs remain in Switzerland. The species is endangered – the main causes are the increasing scrub encroachment of the landscape, disturbance from leisure activities, the decline of traditional mountain farming and the decline in insect populations as a result of chemical pesticides. The Red-billed Chough is considered endangered and is on the Red List.

Goal

The specific objectives of the nature park are:
• To raise awareness of the Red-billed Chough in order to promote understanding and support for its protection.
• Short-grass pastures, which are crucial for the alpine crow's search for food, should not be allowed to become overgrown or damaged by overuse.
• Leisure activities in the park should be managed in such a way that they disturb the animals as little as possible and that their habitats are preserved.

Further information

The nature park implements various measures to protect the Red-billed Chough:
• Scrub clearance: Key habitats are identified in collaboration with key stakeholders and cleared of scrub.
• Alpine pasture maintenance: Volunteers maintain valuable open pastureland for the Red-billed Chough.
• Alpine farming: The park promotes local Alpine farming, including the marketing of Alpine products.
• Information: Rangers and information boards provide information on the right behaviour.

Partner

Swiss Ornithological Institute