What animals and birds are you likely to see on an Alpine trek? Read on for the rundown of the wildlife around Chamonix and the western-Alps where we run our guided treks, hiking holidays and courses. The Alps are home to a huge range of wildlife, both birds and animals. Some of the best-known residents…
The Eurasian Lynx is a distinctive species of wild cat that was common in the Alps until the 19th century. Together with the grey wolf and the brown bear, it was one of the three big predators that were intentionally eradicated across much of Europe during the course of the 1800s. However, a successful reintroduction…
The grey wolf is one of the three large predators that disappeared from the French Alps towards the end of the 19th century, the other two being the lynx and the brown bear. However, in the past few years, small numbers of wolves have migrated from the small remaining Italian populations and re-established themselves in…
With its large curved horns and incredible climbing ability, the Alpine Ibex is one of the most instantly-recognisable animals in the Alps. Also known as the Steinbock or Bouquetin, this species of goat lives wild in the European Alps and can regularly be spotted on hikes in the Ecrins National Park. Alpine Ibex Description: Alpine…
The Chamois is a species of goat-antelope found across the mountain ranges of Europe and Asia. Native to the Ecrins region is the Alpine Chamois – a small goat-like animal with a distinctive white and black striped face. Chamois Description: The Alpine Chamois is instantly recognisable by its black and white striped face. White side…
The Alpine Chough is one of two species of birds commonly referred to as choughs. The other is the red-billed chough. The alpine chough is a common sight in the Alps both summer and winter. However, the red-billed chough is less frequently seen in the region, and is more common across the mountains of Asia….
The golden eagle is arguably the most famous of all raptors, and has been revered throughout history. In ancient Greece the golden eagle was Zeus’ messenger and animal companion. The Aquila was the symbol used by ancient Roman legions. It is currently the national symbol of several countries, and is worshipped by native American Indians….
In this post, we look at the Bearded Vulture, or Ossifrage (‘bone-breaker’ in Latin), the rarest in the Alps. This bird is known for its unique feeding strategy that helps it to survive in the harsh mountain environment. Description: The bearded vulture is the largest Alpine bird. It can reach a wingspan of up to…
Following on from our series on Alpine Flower Notes, in this series we’ll be taking a look at some of the wildlife that can been seen in our region of the Alps, starting with the Griffon Vulture. One of the most impressive birds of prey that can be spotted in the Southern Alps is the…
These large, ground-dwelling squirrels are a symbol of the Alps and other mountain ranges. They are easy to recognise from their cute, cuddly appearance, but how much do you know about everybody’s favourite mountain rodent? There are fourteen different living species of marmot Four extinct species have also been identified in the fossil record….
