Changing Migration Patterns See More Storks Wintering in Germany

Milder winters and accessible food sources are altering stork migration behavior, with some birds staying in Germany year-round.

An increasing number of storks are wintering in Germany due to milder winters and the availability of food at locations like landfills and near wildlife parks.
Experts report that some storks now choose to remain in northern Germany, such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, instead of migrating to Africa.
Many storks that still migrate are returning earlier, with some arriving as early as January or February, particularly from Spain and southern France.
The number of breeding stork pairs in Germany has been steadily rising, attributed to shorter migration routes and reduced risks during travel.
Conservationists encourage the public to report sightings of wintering storks to better understand their changing behavior and habitat preferences.