Black stork sensation in Grafing: Rare sighting in the middle of the city!

Black stork sensation in Grafing: Rare sighting in the middle of the city!

There was recently some exciting bird watching in the middle of Grafing, not far from the parish church. A rare black stork was discovered while foraging for food at Wieshamer Bach. This reports Mercury. The sighting not only caught the eyes of nature lovers, but also that of photographer Johannes Pregel, who expressed his surprise at the encounter in such an unusual habitat.

Black storks have been a rarity in Bavaria for more than 100 years, as they were almost extinct in this region. But fortunately, these majestic birds, which have black plumage with a metallic sheen and a wingspan of up to 1.90 m, have resettled in the foothills of the Alps in recent decades. This means that nature lovers like Benedikt Sommer from the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV) are happy when sightings like those in Grafing or, as recently, in Aßling, where a black stork was seen on a house roof, are reported. Sommer calls these observations unusual and acknowledges that these birds typically nest in remote, low-disturbance forests.

Habitat and behavior of black storks

The black stork prefers quiet forests and prefers to stay away from human settlements. It often nests deep in the forest, often in the crowns of broken trees. It is significant that although there are some nests in the region, there is currently no evidence of breeding in the Ebersberg Forest. Interestingly, some of these birds appear to have learned to forage in populated areas, which could explain the sightings in Grafing and Aßling. However, it remains unclear whether this is the same animal that was spotted in both locations.

The black stork population has increased in Germany in recent years; Around 130 occupied territories were counted in 2018. Nevertheless, the black stork remains in need of support as an endangered species, while the white stork is stable in the region. Loud LBV Reports of chance observations are crucial for recording population development and supporting conservation work.

Science and nature conservation

A successful dialogue between forestry and nature conservation is necessary to protect the black stork. This is supported by various projects, such as the LBV project “Living Streams in Bavaria”. These initiatives contribute to improving the black stork's habitats by taking measures to enhance its natural environment.

The work of conservationists is not only limited to preserving the habitat, but also to educating the public. Despite the black stork's rarity, it has the potential to play an important role in the regional ecosystem. So if you take a look up in the near future, you might be lucky enough to spot one of these “black giants” as it glides majestically over the Bavarian forests.