Storks Return to Saxony Despite Winter’s Bite
Despite the freezing temperatures, the first storks have already settled on their nests in Saxony. The Sachsenstorch team reported the first returnees in its online overview at the end of January, including in Schkeuditz near Leipzig and in the vicinity of Eilenburg.
According to Sylvia Siebert, an expert from the Naturschutzinstitut in Dresden, it has become a trend in recent years for white storks to return to Saxony between the end of January and mid-February. She also reported that 2024 was the most successful stork year in Saxony to date.
"Citizens don’t need to worry about the frosty temperatures. On the one hand, storks are quite robust, and there are also enough bare patches where they can find food," Siebert said. As long as temperatures don’t drop into double digits below zero for weeks, the weather is not a problem. In any case, it is supposed to get warmer toward the end of the week. "They can manage for a few days," Siebert said.
The storks that have already returned to Saxony are so-called western migrants. They come from as far away as Spain, where they spent the winter. Their route is shorter than that of the eastern migrants, which leads them over the Bosporus and the Middle East, sometimes as far as South Africa. These storks are expected to return from the beginning of March to the end of April at the earliest.
Last year marked the most successful stork year in Saxony since records began in 1950, Siebert said. A total of 471 breeding pairs with 921 young were counted. The long-term average is around 350 stork pairs.
The Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape, the Röderaue, and the Leipzig Lowland are considered strongholds of the white stork (Latin: Ciconia ciconia) in Saxony.
Adaptations to Cold Weather
Storks have several adaptations that allow them to survive in cold weather:
- Robust Physiology: Storks have a thick layer of feathers that insulates them from the cold. They also have a high metabolism, which helps them maintain their body temperature.
- Food Availability: Storks are opportunistic feeders and can find food even in winter. They eat a variety of small animals, including frogs, insects, and rodents.
- Behavioral Adaptations: Storks often huddle together to conserve heat. They also stand on one leg to reduce heat loss.
Western and Eastern Migrants
Storks are long-distance migrants, and the populations in Saxony are divided into two main groups:
- Western Migrants: These storks migrate from breeding grounds in Central and Western Europe to wintering grounds in Spain and North Africa. Their migration route is shorter and less arduous than that of the eastern migrants.
- Eastern Migrants: These storks migrate from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe to wintering grounds in Africa, sometimes as far south as South Africa. Their migration route is longer and more challenging, and they often face harsh weather conditions.
Conservation of Storks
Storks are an important part of the Saxon ecosystem. They help to control rodent populations and are a symbol of the region’s natural heritage. The Naturschutzinstitut in Dresden works to protect storks and their habitats.
Conservation measures include:
- Nest Protection: The institute monitors stork nests and provides support to breeding pairs.
- Habitat Management: The institute works with farmers and other landowners to create and maintain suitable stork habitats.
- Public Awareness: The institute raises awareness about storks and their importance through educational programs and outreach activities.
