White storks in Hamm: Horstes double to 34 – a success for Nabu!

White storks in Hamm: Horstes double to 34 – a success for Nabu!

A reason to be happy for all nature lovers in Hamm: the white stork has returned with an impressive doubling of the nest from 17 to 34 in just two years. Lino Köhler, stork representative at NABU Hamm, provides insights into this positive development. While in 1993 only three breeding pairs were counted in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamm today seems to be a veritable stork's nest. The new settlement is primarily located at Heessen Castle, where 21 nests are enthroned on buildings and trees.

The dense population even amazes ornithologists, as white storks usually require a fixed territory. Good conditions in Hamm, such as the location, the heat storage capacity of the buildings and the rich food supply, seem to be very suitable for these local migratory birds. Köhler estimates that over 50 young birds will hatch this spring and will fledge by mid-July.

Foraging and lifestyle

An exciting question is what leads the storks to their feeding sites. Adult animals travel up to 15 kilometers and feed mainly on worms and mice. Young animals, on the other hand, need around 1200 grams of food every day, while their parents get by on half. Despite the need for storks, there are no negative impacts on the amphibian population in the region, although gray herons are considered a possible threat.

A surprising aspect is the changed migratory behavior of the storks. Instead of moving to Africa as usual, many of them are now wintering in Spain. This could be due to climate change and the nature conservation measures being promoted, such as renaturation and pesticide bans. However, Köhler remains skeptical about a further significant increase in the population, especially because of the urban structure and the limited food supply in Hamm. Feeding the storks is also not recommended as this can lead to domestication.

A look beyond the borders

But there is also positive news across Germany. The 8th International White Stork Census already shows a preliminary increase in breeding pairs to 330,000. The results from 40 of 55 participating countries are available; including Germany, Ukraine, Türkiye and Libya. These counts will continue until the end of 2025, while complementary counts are taking place in France and Spain. NABU reports that final results are expected by fall 2025.

The history of the white stork in Germany is a success story. The species was still critically endangered until the 1980s. The low point was reached in 1984 with only 3,403 nest pairs. Since then, various protection projects and breeding programs, including those run by NABU, have contributed to a steady increase in the number of breeding pairs. In 2024, 13,266 breeding pairs were counted across Germany, which is a new record. National Geographic emphasizes that ringing chicks is part of the stork carers' duties, which is essential for the protection of these impressive birds.