Typical animals & plants in the Entlebuch

One of the largest and most impressive animals you will see in Entlebuch is the Alpine ibex, a relative of our domesticated goats. Those joining the Steinbock Trek from Rothorn have a very good chance of spotting these majestic creatures. The age of an ibex can be determined from its horns: the longer the horn, the older the animal. Smaller than the ibex, the chamois also has two horns – and just like the ibex, it is highly adept at climbing on the steep and stony terrain.

With a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres, the golden eagle is the largest diurnal bird of Entlebuch. Once on the brink of extinction in Switzerland, its numbers have thankfully risen. Today it is regularly observed in Entlebuch, where at least two pairs are known to breed. The yellow-billed chough, with its black plumage and yellow beak, is a familiar sight to mountain hikers. Displaying impressive flying skills, this bird has no fear of people around mountain restaurants and picnic areas.

With all its moors and marshes, Entlebuch promises the perfect habitat for dragonflies, which depend heavily on damp environments to rear their larvae. Dragonflies are great fliers, capable of sudden changes of direction, hovering in the air and even flying backwards. Many dragonflies have radiant colours and shimmer like jewels. In the wetlands of Entlebuch, the large red damselfly and the shimmering blue demoiselle (among others) can often be seen by minor watercourses. Less common are the moor-dwelling azure hawker, Subarctic darner and northern emerald.

Entlebuch is a paradise for birds – and the three-toed woodpecker is Lord of the Rings in Entlebuch. The furtive inhabitant of well-structured forests needs dead wood, of which Entlebuch offers a plentiful supply. It feeds on the larvae of wood-dwelling insects mainly found in dead and ageing trees. As the name implies, the bird has just three toes: two at the front and one pointing rearwards. Although the somewhat shy bird rarely shows its face, visitors may well notice trees with strange rings carved into the bark, made by three-toed woodpeckers in search of flowing sap.

Like the western capercaillie, the hazel grouse relies on structured woodland. Within Switzerland, its distribution is concentrated in Entlebuch, which is why the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch bears a strong responsibility for the protection of the species. With its russet and grey patterned plumage, the bird is well camouflaged. The call of the hazel grouse is a high, thin whistle, like that of a tomtit.

It is not only typical alpine plants like alpenrose, blue gentian and edelweiss that grow in Entlebuch, but also various moor plants and orchids (marsh orchid, vanilla orchid); the yellow, fragrant blooms of the mountain cowslip also appear each spring along the rocky ridges of Entlebuch. The cowslip is immortalised in various Swiss yodelling songs.

If you would like to discover the wildlife of Entlebuch, why not register for one of our exciting excursions? You can also learn more about the diverse flora of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in Franz Portmann’s new book («Die Pflanzenwelt der UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch», 01 September 2018, Haupt Verlag, ISBN 978-3-258-08080-2).