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7 of the Best Places to Find Birds in Zurich on a Trip to Switzerland

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.

Birds of Switzerland on Lake Zurich: pochard

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!

Pochards and swans on Zurich See

Birds in Switzerland: photos of Lake Zurich

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.
Birds in Switzerland - Mandarin ducks on Hornbach in Zurich

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.
Birds of Switzerland: Zurich See with pochards and crested grebe at sunrise

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.
Birds in Switzerland: sandpiper, chaffinch, tufted ducks, and heron on Zurich See

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.
Where to find birds in Switzerland: Schanzengraben in Zurich

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!
Birds in Switzerland: Goosanders - ducks - on the Sihl River in Zurich

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.

Coots near Rapperswil, Switzerland

***
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.
Birds in Switzerland: Zurich Birding Map

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Birdwatching Switzerland - ZurichThe Birds of Switzerland in Europe

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Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog: 7 of the Best Places to Find Birds in Zurich on a Trip to Switzerland
7 of the Best Places to Find Birds in Zurich on a Trip to Switzerland
Looking for birds in Switzerland? Discover places to find birds in Zurich. Go birdwatching on a trip to Zurich Switzerland.
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Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog
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