Black Stork Nest 3 (Kergu) 2024

[Swenja]

12:40 He flies away.

12:43 Kergu is back very excited and sings. He seems to be inviting a female into the nest.





But no female comes to him.
He is preening.

13:08 Kergu flies away.

[Swenja]

19:36 Kergu is here. Short song

[Swenja]

April 16

Kergu spent the morning working on the nest and preening.







07:58 He flies away.

[Swenja]

10:04 Kergu is back and sings.

10:41 He sits down in the nest.
Before that, he sang a short song.





10:47 He stands up.

[Swenja]

12:12 Kergu flies up into the tree and continues singing there.

about 15:57 A few robins pay a visit.

[Swenja]

19:57 Kergu is at home. Short song.

[Swenja]

April 17

Kergu did the nest work in the morning.
He checked the edge of the nest and loosened up the nest floor. He did not collect any new nesting material.





06:55 He flies away.

[Swenja]

09:16 Kergu is back in the nest and singing. He was probably sitting up in the tree.

[Swenja]

Kergu flies to the right and stands on a branch and sings.





On the way back to the nest, he picks up some dry grass.

[Swenja]

Kergu fetches more nesting material.



12:45 He flies up into the tree.

[Swenja]

14:16 Kergu is back and sings passionately.
He is alone.



Or is he not alone?

[Swenja]

Who else is there?



14:30 Kergu sings. He touches the branches of the nest edge.

14:31 He sits down in the nest.

Someone comes too close to the nest. Kergu ducks his head.


14:38 Kergu stands up and is preening.
He sings and looks around.

14:45 Kergu flies away.

[Swenja]

19:46 Kergu is back with a beautiful song.

[Anne7]

.
Thank you so much for all the beautiful pictures and great documentation, Swenja.

I feel intensely sorry for Kergu. Although we shouldn't give up hope at this point, it seems less and less likely that he will be joined by a female. That would then be the second year in a row that Kergu is doomed to remain lonely on his beautiful nest.

May a small miracle happen.

[Hulbi Lorm]

Yes, Anne. It's such a sad season so far. And while I'm happy that we can watch Kergu, it's particularly heart-breaking to see him sing, and noone appears...

[Anne7]

Yes, Hulbi, it is heartbreaking.
Poor Kergu.

I’m so sorry.

[Swenja]

Hello @Anne7 you're welcome!
Even though the outlook of a successful season this year is getting worse with each passing day, it could still happen that a female finds Kergu and his beautiful nest.
This is not just a hope. We know that it will happen if all the circumstances are favourable.

So I will keep watching and documenting whenever I have time. Kergu is here for now. Let's see what else will happen.

Hello @Hulbi Lorm
We all wish for a successful season. The chance is not over yet.
Don't be sad!

Good night!

[brofasa]

I guess everyone is losing hope as the days go by but not just because Kergu may face his second lonely season. Karula nest is empty for the first time since nearly 10 years. Jan's nest is empty. No visitors at all. As if the storks are gone. It takes a toll on people. I know. I feel the sadness creep up on me as well. Every day I come to the forum, hoping for excited chatter here about how the nests are occupied again but all we are left with are questions.

But Swenja is right. It is far too soon to doom the nests. It still relatively early in the season. Janika arrived in May to lay eggs in Jan's nest and it ended in a successful season. Kergu still has ample time to find a mate. We may see eggs again. Karula nest may still be found by a new male as well. Kaia may be on her way too, we just cannot see the signal. So many unknowns.

So, I shall come here every day to find news, hoping for good ones. And if nothing changes? There is always next year with a new hope.

[Swenja]

April 18

Kergu fetched some nesting material and did his nest work.






He preened himself and now and then he sings his song in the beautiful sunshine.

[Swenja]

09:19 Kergu sits down in the nest.



09:36 He gets up again.

He sings his song several times.


09:43 He flies up into the tree and continues singing at the top.
09:48 Kergu flies away from there.