We have seen many large birds on our travels around the world. For example, the Ostrich in southern Africa, which cannot fly, although it is called a bird in German. Then also the Emu, its little relative in Australia. And in the Colca Canyon, Peru, in 2009, we saw the giant Condors circling. When they flew over our heads, it got dark.

The Bearded Vultures, which were resettled in Switzerland a few years ago, are not that big. But with a wingspan of almost 2.9 meters, the bearded vulture is one of the largest flying birds in the world. And it also circles above the Ueschinen Valley, which we hiked through with friends a few days ago. With just under 250 breeding pairs, it is one of the rarest birds of prey in Europe.

When we arrived at the Restaurant Lohner, where we usually stop for a beer or a cider, we asked the landlady if they really were bearded vultures, that circled above us. Yes, she said. And also, that there is a couple that breeds in the Gasterental and also flies to the Ueschinental with a young one. And there they circled above us…

PS. If you want to know more about the bearded vulture, you can read here.