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The stork center is bustling with activity.

Several nests are now occupied: the rattlebirds have already arrived back from the south. Yet, numerous well-visited locations may spell trouble for them.

SymClub
May 27, 2024
2 min read
NewsSpringRhinelandGerman Press AgencyEnvironmentRhineland-PalatinateAnimalsBornheim
A white stork stands with its young in the aviary of the "Storchenscheune", a care station of the...
A white stork stands with its young in the aviary of the "Storchenscheune", a care station of the "PfalzStorch" campaign.

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Bornheim: a place worth considering - The stork center is bustling with activity.

Fully occupied homes: The stork village of Bornheim in the southern part of Rhineland-Palatinate has seen most nests claimed by storks once they returned, with a few additional breeding sites being constructed. "The situation is pretty comparable to 2023, when there were roughly 600 stork nests across the country," shared Stork Center Director Jessica Lehmann with the German Press Agency. "We've witnessed new nests, but the rates aren't rising as much." The exact count will only become clearer at the close of the breeding season, Lehmann stressed. "It started in certain places around early March."

Less ideal spring weather

Regrettably, some young storks perished due to the rainy and relatively cold spring. "Storks can typically withstand various weather types, but constant rain and frigid temperatures create a point where parents cannot shield their young from the wet anymore," clarified the director. This wetness, when they can't dry out, can lead to hypothermia - often resulting in death.

Lehmann added, "While a wet spring may be beneficial for raising the young, as ample food is available, the spread of the storks' breeding season means the population can endure such incidents."

Storks perch on electricity pylons

Lehmann, the head of the Rhineland-Palatinate Stork Center, mentioned that nests on electricity pylons are a common occurrence. "In our man-made environment, these birds seek out high spots with great visibility or places where nests can securely sit. They're drawn to all kinds of electricity pylons, power lines, and distribution systems."

Lehmann cautioned that no standardized approach is available for addressing this issue. "Usually, agreements are formed between stork caretakers and grid operators to avoid disruption for both people and animals." The chances of short circuits, the risk of fires, and the potential for fatal electrical shocks shouldn't be neglected, either. "We make efforts to handle these scenarios proactively."

Campaign in Palatinate for stork nests on electricity pylons

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Source: www.stern.de

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