2025 Stork Webcam
Another season is upon us! The webcam is up and running, the birds are now in attendance so let’s hope for yet another bumper year. The UK population is growing at a healthy rate and it would be good to see other migrating pairs now returning to other sites around the country.
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Thanks @mickysf will have another look in tomorrow, as there is not a lot to see at the moment.😁
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Lots of nest preparation and tidying going on. Pair bonding with practise mating behaviour indicates it’s probably going to be a successful season ahead at this nest at Knepp. See webcam link in post above.
Then later today I came across this video. Seems several new sites around UK are contributing to the reintroduction of storks.1 -
On the continent they are looked upon as symbols of good luck and rebirth, hence the folklore about babies. Villages erect nesting areas for them and we have often been on campsites that have them. One such site in Alsace had a nesting pair that used to come down and walk around the site looking for food. Dog bowls were favourite hunting ground.
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Similarly, Wherenext, here in England they were originally considered the harbingers of new life and rebirth. Sadly a political spin was placed on this belief in the 17 century when they were then linked with the new ways and the rebellious activities of our Civil War. During this time many of these birds were slaughtered and persecuted which added to their demise.
Worryingly today falsehoods are still deliberately ‘used’ in similar ways to gain an advantage or leverage over others. For example, look at the ‘myths’ surrounding magpies, buzzards and hen harriers, the bad name they are given and their persecution.
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Well, still no eggs but plenty of mating activity so hopefully soon.
There are reports this week of one of the previously UK raised birds returning from its migration. It’s suspected to have spent the winter in either Southern France or Spain. Others made their way to Morocco and spotted there but these are yet to journey ‘home’.0 -
That’s some achievement, @Wherenext . I’ve delved a bit further and found this. Knepp is now officially one of the European sixteen Stork Villages in this network. The project goes from strength to strength!👍
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I haven't been down to my local RSPB reserve at Burton Mere which is a shame as I have missed a Stork dropping in for a few days. There was one sighted, presumably the same one, flying west along the Wirral north coast 2 days ago and seen flying along the north coast of Wales.
Burton has breeding Great White Egrets as well as the Herons and Little Egrets so it is a possibility that given the right encouragement they may make a lengthier stop over soon.
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It looks like another bumper year for white storks being both spotted in the UK skies and with so many hatching at several nest sites here the population is growing at pace. To celebrate the reintroduction of these iconic birds a celebration event is now planned in May. Unfortunately I can’t make it but I’m told the whole Storrington community is getting involved in this good news story.
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