Enjoyable stork cub animals: Forchheim is one of the winners!

Enjoyable stork cub animals: Forchheim is one of the winners!

In Forchheim there is currently reason to be happy: the white stork population in the district has experienced a remarkable increase. As reported Fraenkischer Tag, 15 occupied Horste with around 40 young animals were registered this year. This gratifying development is a clear indicator of the success of the ART aid program, which has been launched in Bavaria since the 1980s.

The Forchheim district group was commissioned to Beringen the young animals, a project that is challenging due to the preferred breeding habits of the storks. Storks often breed at lofty heights on roofs, chimneys and masts, which makes access to the nesting places difficult. Alex Brehm, a UHU expert, and Helmut Schmitt from the LBV have nevertheless demonstrated a good hand and carried out several successful reports with the support of the city of Forchheim and the Ebermannstadt volunteer fire brigade.

Successful Provision

The excitement for the ratio is reflected in the details. The campaign had to be stopped at a nest on the rectory in Pautzfeld because the young animals could jump in panic. However, the reports were successfully carried out on the roof of the Ritter-von-Streittenur school in Forchheim and in the Pretzfeld rectory. A total of ten young storks could be sailed, which serves not only the identification, but also to investigate behavior, excitement and habitats.

The ART aid program has had a positive balance since its start: in 2023 there were 1,180 white stork pairs in Germany, including 198 new settlements. Despite the positive development, however, 70 nests are no longer occupied, and the factors such as crashed storks and local changes in the food areas require continuing attention.

global perspective

In an international context, the white stork population is also observed extensively. The 8th international white stork count is currently underway, and initial results from 40 out of 55 participating countries show a preliminary increase in breeding pairs to around 330,000. This count in which participants from countries such as Ukraine, Turkey and Germany will continue to get a comprehensive picture of the existing development by 2025, as nabu

It remains exciting how the stocks will develop in the coming years. In times when the white stork is particularly worth protecting, the committed berry campaign in Forchheim shows how complex and valuable the protection of these majestic birds is.