Storks

Creatures mainly outside of our Gardens; Land, Water and Sea
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Trev62
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Storks

Post by Trev62 »

Since moving here we have been observing a couple of storks trying to unsuccessfully build a nest at the end of our road/mud track. This year the Electric guys put up a metal basket for them and we have watched as they have filled it with twigs and sticks making a sizable nest. Initially they would fly off when we walked the dogs under them but now they just gaze down and look at us without moving.

They often fly over the house and wander in the fields so we are keeping our fingers crossed we will see some baby storks hatched this year.

Here's hoping.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

Looking good so far, their nest has doubled in size and they are lining it out at present. Both are happily resting in the nest unperturbed by us looking up at them every time we pass by.

Keeping our fingers crossed to see some babies this year.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

One baby stork in the nest happily standing up and being fed by Mum? or Dad? Not sure of the difference. What I did not realize is that the stork's nest serves as a nest to the sparrows as well, there are several of them nesting underneath the storks in amongst all the twigs/sticks.
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lancashire lass
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Re: Storks

Post by lancashire lass »

I seem to have missed these posts. It must be quite fascinating to see the nest build up and now sighting of a young stork. I did a quick google as I don't really know that much about storks - quite an interesting read. Apparently it is not uncommon for parent birds to kill off some of the young least likely to survive so that they can put all their energy into the ones that have a better chance to reach maturity. It might explain why you have only seen one baby stork.
Trev62
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Re: Storks

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lancashire lass wrote: 25 Jul 2023, 17:09 Apparently it is not uncommon for parent birds to kill off some of the young least likely to survive so that they can put all their energy into the ones that have a better chance to reach maturity. It might explain why you have only seen one baby stork.
I never realized this.

There are several stork nests in the surrounding villages, many have two or three young birds in them. I prefer to think that only one hatched as even though this week the day time temperature has not been below 100 F there are still plenty of "froglets" (is that actually a word?) living in the mud pools down our lane/road. We have often watched the adults catching them before returning to the nest.

It has been great observing them and I look forward to seeing the youngster stretch his/her wings as flight preparations begin.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

That's it, the storks and their youngster have departed their nest. It has been fun watching them and seeing the youngster finally start leaping around as he/she (or any of the other 83 genders, not wishing to offend anyone by getting things wrong!) stretch out them lovely wings ready for flight.

The storks are gathering early this year which is a sign for the early onset of winter, here's hoping as this constant heat and humidity is a killer.

Bon Voyage storks and look forward to your successful return next year.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

Always a sight I enjoy.....@ 200 storks were circling above our house today so Spring has definitely arrived :-D Many nests now have storks standing in them but our nearest nest remains empty, fingers crossed they make it back safely this year.
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lancashire lass
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Re: Storks

Post by lancashire lass »

is it normal to see them arrive in March? You mentioned in August that the storks left early. I just wondered if the trend was more a climate change thing (many birds and animals have been changing their migration patterns) than weather related.
Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

lancashire lass wrote: 28 Mar 2024, 07:35 is it normal to see them arrive in March?
They can arrive anytime after Baba Marta Day which is the 1st March. They arrive on the coast much earlier than here as they stop at several places to feed when moving inland so yes, it is normal to see them in March.

And......the good news is the male stork down the road has arrived safely and has already set about repairing his nest, now we await the arrival of his partner.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

Even better news, the female stork has returned and both storks are happily in their nest, flying over our garden several times a day as they repair/rebuild their nest. Fingers crossed for another successful hatching this year.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

Our local storks have successfully hatched two youngsters this year. Both are up on their feet and stretching their wings. Lovely sight to see. Mum and Dad are flying to and from the nest, feeding them and doing repairs. The parents are so used to us now they just strut past us as we walk the dog every morning down to the lake, not even looking over at us.
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Mo
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Re: Storks

Post by Mo »

I think we might be getting them here now. Or maybe it's cranes. People post pictures on FB.
I remember wondering what that strange white bird was when we started getting Little Egrets. Now we get Great,and Cattle Egrets too.
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

We are meant to have all three of them egrets here. Great and Little Egrets take up residence on the lake I walk to but the the Cattle Egret has so far eluded me!
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Mo
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Re: Storks

Post by Mo »

My son in law took me to a nature reserve where they had been seen, they were in one field, then the cows were moved (past the hide window) and, guess what, the cattle egrets moved with them. Not named for no reason
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Trev62
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Re: Storks

Post by Trev62 »

All of our four local storks have now left, here is hoping they have a safe journey and that the parents return again next year. Before migrating all four would be in our garden/field ever morning happily wandering around whilst we put the animals out and completed all the cleaning out. Lovely experience seeing them so close up.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
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