Witenen

The Trimmis Allmend, also known as Witenen, consists of shrub-dotted dry grassland that grows in gently rising, characteristically furrowed terrain between the village edge and the Fürstenwald to the south and the Buochwald to the east. The meadows and shrubs grow on an alluvial fan at the foot of the Ful Berg / Gromser Chopf massif. This valuable natural area is managed extensively and laboriously maintained by the local Naturkundliche Vereinigung. In addition to 22 kilometers of hedgerows and 15 kilometers of dry stone walls on the community ground, the maintenance of the wooded pasture above the Witenen is especially noteworthy: open woodland is kept free of undergrowth and low vegetation by grazing or manual work. These ecological niches allow a rich flora and fauna to thrive, which is rare in the Chur Rhine Valley.

Compared to the species found further north in the vineyards of the Herrschaft region, the area around Trimmis is somewhat more “montane.” In the hedges, shrubs, and old fruit trees, common species like Rougegorge familier, Rougequeue noir, Merle noir, and Pic vert dominate. However, visits between mid-April and June will surely add some more sought-after species to the list: Tarier pâtre return first, followed by Rougequeue à front blanc and Torcol fourmilier, with Pipit farlouse resting. With luck, Venturon montagnard may be spotted from mid-March—though they breed at higher altitudes, they seek refuge here when weather conditions up high become unfavorable. Later, Coucou gris, Tarier des prés, Alouette lulu, and Fauvette babillarde arrive, though likely just passing through.

Rare to occasional spring guests include Guêpier d'Europe and Faucon kobez, which stop by to profit from the rich supply of insects and small amphibians.

In summer, there's a chance to see Fauvette grisette with luck. A few pairs of Pie-grièche écorcheur still breed here, the Pouillot siffleur sings a bit higher up, and the Bondrée apivore can sometimes be seen circling. Less common year-round birds include Bruant zizi and Bruant fou, though these are easier to observe in the Herrschaft region (see, for example, the entry “Maienfeld vineyards and orchards”).

In winter, as picturesque as it is, the Allmend is less interesting ornithologically. Still, Grive mauvis and Pie-grièche grise have been spotted several times.

Concerning rarities, there are five records of Hypolaïs ictérine, most recently in 2021. Pipit rousseline and Faucon émerillon have been noted, Jaseur boréal five times, with one sighting of Étourneau roselin and two of Busard cendré.

The suggested route leads via the Mittelweg (1), then along the Maschänser Rufi (2) to the Oberweg (3). The Allmend is also traversed between these paths, though this should be avoided during the breeding season. Beautiful observations are also possible below (Chüaweg) or in the pine forest (Föhrenwald).