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White stork

 

White stork arrivals have been reported from all Estonia in the last few days..

 

Many feel that they herald the beginning of spring, and not without reason. Newts are out and move towards their spawning waters, in the warm weather forecast for next week the spring migration of common frogs (Rana temporaria) is likely to start. To be present at the „right“ time is important – the birds, true to their nest sites, quickly occupy the nests. Mostly it is male birds that then announce their lord of the manor status by standing on the nest and clattering with the beak. It seems that the male recognizes the first female to arrive at the site as his potential partner. But if last year’s female nester arrives later a quite serious battle between the females follows. The male, watching from a distance, doesn’t seem to be unduly worried about which of the females will get the upper hand...

 

The pair industriously begin to tidy the nest and bring extra materials. The augmentation of nest materials now and then actually only ends for white storks with the end of the nesting period. Virtually any materials and waste that can be found around humans will do for this: rags and plastic film, cardboard and paper, toys left in the yard, sometimes metal objects ... in addition to nature’s materials.

 

Towards the end of April – early May when the first eggs are in the nest we will look further in the life of white stork families.