Sempach Bird Observatory
The Sempach Bird Observatory (Vogelwarte Sempach in German) is a bird observatory and ornithological research centre, also known as the Swiss Ornithological Institute, which is based at the town of Sempach in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. It overlooks Lake Sempach. Founded in 1924, it is a non-profit organization and the largest private field research institute in Switzerland. It carries out a bird ringing program as well as other ornithological research, conservation biology, and public education.
Bird ringing
The Institute manages the Swiss Ringing Scheme under contract for the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape, and issues bird rings inscribed “Sempach Helvetia” for use in Switzerland only. Special projects managed by the Scheme include the Alpine ringing station “Col de Bretolet” at 1923 m asl on the Swiss-French border, and the Integrated Population Monitoring Program for the common kestrel and barn owl, which studies population changes and dispersal movements.
Notes and references
- Anon (2009). Status Report 2009 of the Swiss Bird Ringing Centre. Vogelwarte Sempach. pp. 1–6.