Here’s a brief birding summary from an hour-and-a-half early evening stroll in late April along the Lake Geneva shore line near Lausanne’s Ouchy Port area, time I mostly spend following Red-crested Pochards, like the one above and the couple below. The early evening light worked quite nicely on the male’s lipstick red bills.

The park is pleasant and busy in the after-work hours, with some people rushing to catch ferries, others playing with children, and still others on leisurely walks or runs through and around the harbor-side green spaces. I’ve been here many times and in most seasons and never tire of the views to the south across to the French side of the lake, where the peaks of Les Cornettes de Bise and Les Jumelles dominate. They are extraordinary.

I identified 14 species (there were more) –two of those, the Red-crested Pochard and a Rook, new lifers– to up my Switzerland list to 23. I also managed a few decent shots of Great Crested Grebes. Most of the grebe and pochard images were taken in the actual port, which stretches west of the greenspace to a row of restaurants that frame that end of the harbor area.

It’s easily accessible, just across the street from the Ouchy-Olympique metro stop. BirdingPlaces.eu has a nice summary of the the spot here.

First up, a few more shots of Red-crested Pochards.

Next, a few Great Crested Grebes.

Next – a Mute Swan and her enormous portside nest.

Next – a couple Eurasian Coots.

Next. A pair of crows.

Next? A Yellow-legged Gull Quaret.

And finally, a few Greater Cormorants.

And for a little more context and a souvenir of the views through pleasant early evening light, three shots of Lake Geneva from a balcony at the Hotel de la Paix.

All photos from 20 and 21 April, 2026.