A Remarkable Stork Return in 2024

The arrival of storks in Saxony marks the beginning of a promising year for these birds. By mid-February, the first storks, including western migrants from Spain, have been spotted.

2024 is poised to be the most successful stork year, boasting 471 breeding pairs and 921 young in Saxony alone. The primary habitats include the Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft, Röderaue, and Leipziger Tiefland.

Expert Sylvia Siebert notes their resilience and ability to find ample food. Additionally, eastern migrants travel from the Bosporus and the Middle East to South Africa.

In Saxony-Anhalt, the stork population has also thrived, with 780 pairs and 1,680 young reported. The shortened migration routes, thanks to their discovery of Spain as a wintering ground, contribute significantly to this success.