Looking for birds in Switzerland? Discover places to find birds in Zurich. Go birdwatching on a trip to Zurich Switzerland.
I find that one of the best things to do in Zurich is to go birdwatching.
My regular readers know that I'm a huge advocate of combining business with pleasure for a 'bleisure' trip and that I occasionally like to sprinkle in a bit of nature too.
My most recent trip to Switzerland in February gave me the chance to combine all three. Here are six different birding spots to squeeze in on a business trip to Zurich.
1. Arrive Early for a Sunny Stroll on Zurich See
Because of the way the flight lined up from Dublin to Zurich I arrived at my hotel around four in the afternoon. This was essentially too late to go to the office but early enough to catch the waning rays of sunshine for a walk along Zurich See.
I like to stay at Hotel Seehof which is conveniently located about a block from Zurich's beautiful lake. I spotted a number of birds bobbing on the water including pochards (the males have such amazing red heads) and swans. I even spotted a Chiloe wigeon nibbling on the grass. What a way to start my trip!
2. Skirting the Hornbach
Hornbach is a small canal that juts away from the lake. I veered away from Zurich See to see what I might find along this shallow body of water.
Not only did I find enough snow to make a snowball (don't worry, I would never throw it at the birds!), but I also spotted a pair of mandarin ducks wading in the water.
3. Zurich See at Sunrise
I enjoyed my walk along Zurich See so much that I decided to do a reprise at sunrise. Another reason that I like staying at Hotel Seehof is that it's about a 20-30 minute walk from my office depending on if I go directly there or take a detour.
I could certainly stay closer but what fun is a business trip if all I see is the office and the hotel? Not only was I treated to golden light on the classic buildings of the city but I also saw more pochards and crested grebes.
4. The Arboretum and Mythenquai
The next morning, I got up extra early and extended my 'commute' along the far side of Zurich See to the Arboretum and Mythenquai. I was rewarded with sightings of a great heron, a flock of tufted ducks, chaffinches, and even a sandpiper.
5. Snowy Schanzengraben
Schanzengraben is a small canal that connects Zurich See with the Sihl River. It was a frosty day when I visited and I didn't spot too many birds but I can imagine this spot is inviting in Spring. This path has the added advantage of passing through the old botanical garden for a fun diversion.
6. Sihl River
I like to vary my commute and one morning I opted to walk along the Sihl River from the Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Enge. I was rewarded with a sighting of a pair of goosanders cutting through the water. I'd never seen one before!
7. Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden
Rapperswil-Jona is a great place to go on a day trip from Zurich. Take the train to Rapperswil SG and then walk to Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden, a wooden pedestrian bridge connecting Rapperswil with Hurden.
As I walked across the water, I saw plenty of ducks, grebes, coots, and swans slicing through the waters of Lake Zurich. I found this walk to be simply idyllic on a sunny day.
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Don't fall into the trap of being 'all business' on a business trip. That attitude is definitely for the birds.
There is so much to see and do before and after business hours in Zurich, a city of immense natural beauty and teeming with bird life. Here's a map of the walks outlined above to make it easier for you to get outside and get moving.
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