Storks back from the south: dispute over the coveted nest in Ardagger!

Storks back from the south: dispute over the coveted nest in Ardagger!

The storks are about to return from the south to Ardagger, Austria. According to the Ardagger-Markt Volunteer Fire Department, the upcoming arrival of the popular birds on March 20 will require some maintenance work on the stork's nest. Firefighters will reduce the size of the nest and excavate the inside to prepare the coveted space for the stork pairs. Commander Markus Fischer reports that several pairs of storks are competing for this coveted nesting spot at the inn, which is causing some excitement.

Storks through the ages

The history and migrations of storks are just as fascinating. Reports from National Geographic show that the white stork only reached northern Germany around 1,000 years ago, when the Roman Empire collapsed. This geographical shift coincided with the clearing of forests and the creation of new agricultural land, which provided better livelihoods for the storks. Their ability to adapt to human habitats is remarkable and explains why they thrive in areas of intensive agriculture.

Stork population numbers have fluctuated greatly over the decades, from just 2,994 breeding pairs in 1988 to over 10,000 breeding pairs in recent years. There are many reasons for this increase, including a change in migratory behavior. More and more storks no longer spend the winter in Africa, but on the Iberian Peninsula or even stay directly in their breeding areas. This means that the animals lose less energy and are less at risk, which has a positive effect on the population.