Looks like our White Stork is struggling a bit through this cold spell.
GB35 is a male who is approximately 3 years old, he originally came to Knepp in 2018 from Warsaw Zoo in Poland after being injured in the wild as a juvenile and rehabilitated. He joined the other storks in one of the satellite pens in East Sussex before being released earlier in 2020. He was seen near Dartford, Kent, on 24th July after spending time near the release site in East Sussex and arrived at Beddington Farmlands in October 2020.
Might make one wonder about the advisability of re-introduction programmes?
ReplyDeleteCan he/she be given any additional support?
ReplyDeleteIf I understand correctly Knepp kept the bird in captivity to de-program it's migration instinct. Hope it survives, if I recall the Stork Project would argue it has a higher chance of surviving the winter and establishing a breeding in population by staying here than taking a risk with migration. The warden is aware of the bird's condition and the Stork Project have been informed .
ReplyDeleteThat’s good news, I really hope it makes it
ReplyDeleteOne further question. Why is this bird not doing well do you think ?
ReplyDeleteIt was quite inactive and the breast and head looked waterlogged implying difficult to preen and keep it's feathers water proofed ? It's got itself in a similar mess before and recovered well so fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean - it certainly looks a little ropey. I wondered if there were any ideas on the underlying cause? Not enough food at Beddington?
ReplyDeleteI should perhaps confess that I'm a vet (know nothing medical about birds though) hence my desire to help is quite strong!
ReplyDeleteI think it could be weather related. There should be enough food. There is a waste transfer site a few tens of meters away from where it frequents- presumably it's scavenging there but I not sure exactly
ReplyDeleteHi Peter todays picture on BPFacebook page from Jack Byles prompts me to ask you about the White Stork, I first saw it on 20th Oct and was a bit surprised when I saw it later looking very scruffy and stained. I messaged BF and asked if it was being caused by it wading through the clay.They replied on the 3rd November that because the developing wet grassland has just been re-landscaped and the substrate is unconsolidated and creating a suspension in the water. Not sure whether that still applies or how long it will take to settle down!!
ReplyDeleteIf the poor bird is having a problem with preening its feathers properly it might have a difficult winter? Do you know if there are any close checks being done?
Many thanks Alan Kenway.
Hi Alan, yes the bird is being checked regularly and there is communication with the Stork Project too. Unfortunately the wet grassland won't be seeded until the spring so yes I think it will be a tough winter for him.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, yesterday he was being "mobbed" by seaguls - if that is the right way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, yesterday Stork was being "mobbed" in flight by seagulls. Not sure if that's the right way to describe it.
ReplyDelete