Barbara Geiser ● In the afternoon, buzzards are falling from the sky

She was an expert in the care of injured birds of prey and owls: Veronika von Stockar (1919–2010). As a young widow, she first looked after an injured kestrel in 1957. This marked the beginning of her lifelong passion and the development of her considerable skill and knowledge, which were recognised 50 years later with an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich. The Berg am Irchel (ZH) birds of prey centre, which she founded, is now run by the PanEco Foundation and is regarded as Switzerland’s leading facility for the care and rehabilitation of injured and sick birds of prey and owls.

‘In the Afternoon, It Rains Buzzards’ recounts, rich in facts and anecdotes, the impressive life and work of this ‘Grande Dame’. It highlights her pioneering work in the care of birds of prey and as an advocate for these birds at the intersection of agriculture, ecology, veterinary medicine, falconry and the law, whilst providing an insight into her professional and personal network.

Portraits of birds cared for at the centre complement the biographical and historical texts and shed light on the characteristics, needs and threats facing important native bird species.

On the stage of the sphères, author Barbara Geiser talks to Karin Salm.

Barbara Geiser
Barbara Geiser studied history and musicology at the University of Zurich. She worked for many years in communications and marketing for an educational publishing house. Since 2012, she has been a freelance author, copywriter, editor and proofreader, as well as a writing coach and adult educator. She has been a passionate birdwatcher for many years and has been a BirdLife field ornithology excursion leader since 2023.

TEXTMACHEREI Barbara Geiser

PanEco Foundation
PanEco is a charitable foundation based in Berg am Irchel. Its work focuses on nature conservation, species protection and environmental education in Switzerland and Indonesia.