If ornithology is your passion, this should interest you.

During the winter months, Geneva became a haven for waterfowl. They are nearly 20 000 across Europe to reach water bodies in Geneva. Their numbers as part of the canton sites except continent. Last week, more than thirty bird enthusiasts took part in the annual census.

The morning mist it difficult for specialists stationed along the Rhone, but the waterfowl counted in the thousands. In one morning, more than 8500 specimens were counted from the harbor at the mouth of the Allondon. Appraisal: 5100 tufted ducks, 1220 coots, 600 mallards, 400 pochard, 240 gadwall lounged on the cold water.

"People are used to throwing bread to the ducks without realizing that this is an incredible opportunity, says Laurent Vallotton, ornithologist at the Museum of Natural History. Many experts would expensive to observe some species so closely. "

The first arrivals hit the ground Geneva from September. They remain until March or early April, depending on the species. Derived mainly from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia, some have traveled over 6000 miles to find suitable conditions to survive until spring.

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source in French