© Marcel Burkhardt
About the Institute
The Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach is a non-profit foundation supported by the public. It focuses on studies of wild birds and acquires the scientific basis for the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Birds draw our attention to changes in the environment. Supported by hundreds of volunteers, we monitor the populations of breeding birds, migrants and winter visitors in Switzerland.
Thanks to this work, 500'000 waterbirds find safe winter habitats on Swiss lakes and rivers every year.
Based on the data and recommendations of the Swiss Ornithological Institute, the Swiss Government designated the reserves of international and national importance for waterbirds and migrants in our country.
The Swiss Ornithological Institute investigates changes in the populations of wild birds. Our studies evaluate how birds adapt to present-day landscapes influenced by man and what they require to survive.
We study where birds forage, how widely they range and why and where they die. For this purpose, we developed and used miniature transmitters that are among the world’s smallest.
This knowledge is crucial in allowing us to take specific action in agricultural areas and in forests.
Nature is to benefit by the knowledge of the Swiss Ornithological Institute. To achieve as much as possible for the birds, we closely work together with authorities, planners, nature conservancy organisations, farmers and foresters.
In cooperation with farmers, we were able to show that they profit by a nature-friendly agriculture as do Yellowhammer, Common Quail, Common Kestrel and many other animals and plants of cultivated land. As for consumers, they receive healthy products.
We disseminate information on birds and their conservation. By means of the media, exhibitions, books, CD-ROMs and booklets we would like to arouse interest and joy but also raise awareness about problems.
Information and Advice Centre
Employees of the Swiss Ornithological Institute answer up to 100 questions daily.
Every year more than 1000 birds are treated by specialists at our institute.
Marcel Burkhardt Kuhusu Taasisi Taasisi ya Ornithological ya Uswisi huko Sempach ni msingi usio wa faida unaoungwa mkono na umma. Inazingatia masomo ya ndege wa porini na hupata msingi wa kisayansi kwa ajili ya uhifadhi wa ndege na makazi yao. Ndege huvutia uangalifu wetu kwa mabadiliko katika mazingira. Kwa msaada wa mamia ya wajitoleaji, tunasimamia idadi ya ndege wa kuzaliana, wahamiaji na wageni wa majira ya baridi nchini Uswisi. Kwa sababu ya kazi hii, ndege wa maji 500,000 hupata makazi salama ya majira ya baridi kali kwenye maziwa na mito ya Uswisi kila mwaka. Kwa mujibu wa taarifa za Taasisi ya Ornithology ya Uswisi, serikali ya Uswisi imeweka hifadhi za kimataifa na za kitaifa kwa ndege wa maji na wahamiaji nchini mwetu. Taasisi ya Ornithological ya Uswisi inachunguza mabadiliko katika idadi ya ndege wa porini. Uchunguzi wetu unathamini jinsi ndege wanavyojipatanisha na mandhari ya leo inayoathiriwa na mwanadamu na kile wanachohitaji ili kuishi. Tunajifunza mahali ambapo ndege hutafuta chakula, ni mbali kadiri gani wanavyoenea na kwa nini na wapi wanakufa. Kwa kusudi hili, tulitengeneza na kutumia vipeperushi vidogo ambavyo ni miongoni mwa vidogo zaidi ulimwenguni. Ujuzi huu ni muhimu katika kuruhusu sisi kuchukua hatua maalum katika maeneo ya kilimo na katika misitu. Kwa mfano, katika nchi za Ulaya, kuna aina ya ndege inayojulikana kama Swiss Ornithological Institute. Ili kufikia zaidi iwezekanavyo kwa ndege, tunafanya kazi kwa karibu na mamlaka, wapangaji, mashirika ya uhifadhi wa asili, wakulima na misitu. Kwa kushirikiana na wakulima, tuliweza kuonyesha kwamba wao pia wananufaika na kilimo cha asili kama vile Yellowhammer, Common Quail, Common Kestrel na wanyama wengine wengi na mimea ya ardhi iliyolimwa. Kwa upande wa watumiaji, wao hupokea bidhaa zenye afya. Tunatangaza habari kuhusu ndege na uhifadhi wao. Kwa njia ya vyombo vya habari, maonyesho, vitabu, CD-ROMs na vijitabu tunataka kuamsha maslahi na furaha lakini pia kuongeza ufahamu kuhusu matatizo. Kituo cha Habari na Ushauri: Wafanyakazi wa Taasisi ya Ornithology ya Uswisi hujibu hadi maswali 100 kila siku. Kila mwaka zaidi ya ndege 1000 hutibiwa na wataalamu katika taasisi yetu.