Hello everyone
.
Hello
bigfan.
We have been discussing the different possiblities when little
Päike was in Greece, in 2018
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 11#p618911
Theoretically, I believe that there are 4 possibilities for storks (being
in Greece) to reach Africa.
1. Following the coastline towards Turkey.
2. Crossing the Aegean Sea (via the little islands) towards Turkey
3. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea via Crete, towards Libya.
4. The itinerary via Italy and Sicilia, towards Tunisia. ???
Route 1
"In studying the data, the researchers found that while storks from Greece, Poland and Russia followed their traditional routes, those from Germany, Spain, and Tunisia did not fly as far as before, stopping short of the Sahara; storks from Armenia did not fly very far, and storks from Uzbekistan did not migrate at all, instead choosing to feed on local fish farms. Those that stopped short of the Sahara appeared to do so because there was ample food in garbage dumps in Morocco."
https://phys.org/news/2016-01-white-sto ... e.html#jCp (Solo's link)
However, I fear that Udu will not fly back northwards. BS are 'programmed' to travel in a predominantly southerly direction during their autumn migration.
Route 2
"...Even though the main migration path is the Bosporus Straits and the Turkish coast, flocks of hundreds of birds can be seen flying over the east coast of Athens, especially Cape Sounio...."
http://greekbirding.blogspot.com/2013/0 ... inias.html
Route 3 is also used by
small numbers of storks
"
KANELLIS (1976) mentioned that small numbers of White Storks migrate via the southern Peloponnesus and Crete towards Africa."
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... ece_200405 (= Solo's link)
This route is known but very difficult. Many (juvenile) BS do not survive the crossing. And even if they make it, the problems are not over yet. On arrival in Libya it will be very difficult to find food and fresh water.
Route 4
I have no idea if
route 4 (the part from Greece to Albania —Italy) has ever been observed... ???
I don’t think it’s likely.
The last, and probably best option, would be for Udu to find a good wintering place in Greece.
But where?
We can only hope for the best…