Storks Begin Early Return to Brandenburg as Spring Nears

Brandenburg, Germany’s stork-rich region, sees the first arrivals of migratory storks despite challenges faced on their long journeys.

The first migratory storks have been spotted in Brandenburg, with early arrivals reported in Kremmen, while key nesting sites like Linum await their return.
Brandenburg remains the leading region for stork populations in eastern Germany, hosting 1,410 breeding pairs in 2024, concentrated near the Elbe, Oder, Havelland, and Spreewald areas.
Most storks in Brandenburg are 'eastern migrators,' traveling arduous routes through the Bosporus and Nile to reach East and South Africa, leading to later returns compared to 'western migrators' from Spain and Portugal.
The population of eastern migratory storks has declined over the years, with western migrators now making up three-quarters of Germany's stork population and expanding into northeastern regions.
Storks are known for their nest fidelity, often returning to the same nests each year, with males arriving first to prepare nests and defend them, leading to frequent territorial disputes.