Letter to the Editor

Switzerland’s population has grown from just 6 million to 9 million. Switzerland itself can support a maximum of 6 million people. It’s nearly impossible to get any more out of the soil. As a result, agriculture is practiced very intensively. This has negative effects on biodiversity.

Because agriculture is necessarily practiced so intensively, model airfields in agricultural zones provide an ecological benefit for wildlife, as the mowed grass offers animals a wonderful and easily accessible feast.

In addition, model airfields can be further enhanced to benefit biodiversity

by adding perches for birds of prey and piles of branches.

A perch for birds of prey should be at least 3 meters high. The crossbar should be at least 30 cm long, approximately 3 to 5 cm in diameter, and rough in texture so that the bird of prey can grip it securely. Ideally, the crossbar should be made of wood, because metal becomes too cold for the bird of prey in winter and too warm in summer, preventing it from clinging properly. An old branch is likely the best option, as it offers the bird of prey a natural perch and thus encourages it to linger.

Piles of branches are good for biodiversity. I found instructions on how to build a pile of branches at

BirdLife Switzerland. Quote from the website:

“... When building a pile of branches, make sure to alternate between finer and bulkier material so that denser areas and areas with larger gaps are created. Hollows beneath the brush piles are also popular with mammals such as hedgehogs. These hollows may measure up to 30 x 30 x 30 cm and must be accessible from the outside ...”

Additional information can be found online by searching for “branch piles Switzerland” (enter without quotation marks). The branch pile should be located in a quiet corner or at one end of the airfield

and be at least 1 m high. The width should not be less than 1 m, and for the length, I suggest a generous 2 m. Ideally, the area should be approximately 9 m² and the height at least 1 m, but as we know, model airfields are unfortunately not too large—they are usually, unfortunately, too small.

An ecological model airfield that has been enhanced for biodiversity benefits not only nature but also the club’s external stakeholders.

August 18, 2021

Roland Moser
Saalbaustrasse 4
5734 Reinach AG