Respectfully on the road in Kleinwalsertal Experience nature consciously

Every child is familiar with these black-and-white, noisy birds from the corvid family. Their reputation as thieves who love to steal shiny objects is also widely known. Yet the magpie is a fascinating and, above all, intelligent bird that we humans encounter frequently as a synanthropic species.

Magpie pairs often stay together for life and are quite affectionate with one another, though they will vociferously defend their brood with everything they have, even against larger rivals. They like to build their nests artfully—and even with a roof—in tall trees. These nests are often used for many years, unless they serve as a nesting site for other bird species, such as the long-eared owl. Since they occasionally use a piece of wire or similar material for nest-building, one might think that magpies are attracted to shiny objects; however, research has shown this to be a myth.

The rumor that smaller songbirds are declining due to magpie egg predation has also not been confirmed. While it is true that magpies occasionally eat the occasional bird egg in addition to insects, larvae, and seeds, this does not occur on a significant scale and has no impact on species populations.

These slender birds with their metallic-sheen plumage and long tails are thus better than their reputation and so intelligent that they can even recognize themselves in a mirror.

If you’re wondering which large bird just cast a shadow over the hillside as it flew by, you’ve probably spotted a red kite overhead. These elegant aerial acrobats are easy to spot this time of year as they soar over the sun-warmed slopes and our villages.

Red kites are the largest birds of prey in our region after the bearded vulture and the golden eagle—easily recognizable by their reddish-brown base coloration and darker wing feathers with large light spots on the so-called primary feathers. Most distinctive, however, is their forked tail, which they use to control their flight maneuvers. Thanks to this and their size—their wingspan can reach up to 1.95 meters—they are easily distinguished from the smaller black kite.

Their preferred prey includes small mammals, amphibians, and even birds, which they can capture with acrobatic maneuvers in flight. But insects, carrion, or occasionally a young hare are also on the menu of these dietary all-rounders. They are agile hunters and belong to one of the few bird species found almost exclusively on the European continent.

If you want to spot a red kite, scan the sky on sunny days over meadows, pastures, open woodlands, and forest edges. You can also spot it from your balcony or garden as it perches on tall, older trees or glides over villages.

Astronomical spring begins this weekend, marked by the first equinox of the year. Daylight hours will once again outlast the night, and temperatures will rise noticeably. This is typically when the first insects appear—especially bumblebees. Around 25 species of these seemingly laid-back buzzers can be spotted here in the Kleinwalsertal.

They belong to the wild bee family and are true specialists when it comes to flying at higher altitudes and in low temperatures. Thanks to their fur and their special ability to shiver, these insects can keep themselves and their offspring warm even in cold temperatures—unlike most other insects. If it gets too warm in the summer, however, they can even cool their bodies down while flying.

Bumblebees play a crucial role in pollination and are thus responsible for the survival of many flowering plants. They particularly enjoy accessing pussy willows in the spring, which is why these should not be picked. A lot of pollen gets caught in their fur and their “pollen pants,” and their hard work early in the year ensures a steady supply of flowers even high up on our alpine meadows. Since the different species visit different flowers due to their varying proboscis lengths, even the most remote niches are covered by bumblebees. 

A bumblebee colony lives for one summer, and only the queens hibernate, often in old mouse holes and burrows.

The widespread rumor that bumblebees cannot sting persists. However, they are rarely aggressive and use their sting only as a last resort.

Anyone following reports from the Alpine region this winter will quickly notice that there have been many avalanches and accidents away from secured slopes and trails. Those unfamiliar with the subject may wonder what is so special about this winter. The answer often lies in a similar pattern in the snow cover.

The winter of 25/26 has so far been characterized by a long cold spell with little precipitation at first and then, in recent weeks, a concentrated load of fresh snow from Mother Holle. Put simply, this meant that a stable snowpack could not form, resulting in high avalanche activity. There is a so-called old snow problem, where further snowfall cannot bond well with the deeper layers.

This is also evident here in our valley: avalanche closures and short-term closures of paths or areas are an important protective measure during such phases. They are put in place when danger zones extend to slopes, paths, or routes. Stay on open slopes and marked winter trails and do not walk under closures, even “just for a moment.” Before each tour, check the avalanche report at lawine.report. The current danger level is given there daily (1 low, 2 moderate, 3 considerable, 4 high, 5 very high), as well as the prevailing avalanche problems and danger patterns in the snowpack. Many people do not inform themselves sufficiently. Yet it often takes only two minutes to get an overview and take the information on site seriously.

Important: If you see an avalanche that you are sure has not affected anyone, report it anyway. This can prevent unnecessary search operations.

Who doesn't know these furry climbing artists from gardens, parks, and forests? Squirrels are diurnal tree dwellers and can be found in almost all European coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests with old tree populations. They have also colonized urban habitats, as long as there is enough food and shelter. Squirrels vary genetically in their coat color from light red to brownish black and their physique is perfectly adapted to climbing trees. Their brush ears and bushy tail, which can be up to 22 centimeters long and almost as long as their body, are characteristic.

They build spherical nests called dreys out of twigs, leaves, and moss, in which they rest and sleep. Squirrels do not hibernate, but they do go into winter dormancy. They eat almost every day, even in winter. To this end, they hide nuts and seeds in the ground in autumn as a supply for the cold season. The animals use both their sense of smell and their sense of direction to find their food again in winter. Nevertheless, they often cannot find all their supplies, so that buried treasures begin to sprout in spring. This means that they also play an important ecological role in forest development.

Squirrels are welcome visitors to our gardens and are often observed. Nevertheless, little is known about their occurrence in Vorarlberg. Help fill in the gaps in our knowledge: sightings can be reported at www.laendlemaus.at.

It looks like a sparrow in a winter coat, only much more alpine: the snow finch lives almost exclusively high up in the mountains, mostly above the tree line. Snow and cold do not bother it much – as a resident bird, it stays in the Kleinwalsertal valley all year round. Nesting sites can also be found above 2000 m, e.g. on the Widderstein or in the Ifen area. Typical features include its gray head, brown back, and striking black and white wings, which are particularly noticeable in flight. 

Depending on snow conditions, breeding takes place between May and August. The female usually lays four to five eggs, which hatch after about two weeks. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, but also includes insect larvae and spiders. Its behavior around humans is fascinating. The snow bunting is often surprisingly trusting and likes to appear where there are crumbs, for example at huts or rest areas. At the same time, it remains a wild bird that has to conserve its energy and stay healthy. Therefore, please do not leave food scraps lying around and do not feed it deliberately, especially not bread or strongly spiced foods.