In Germany we have observed that many storks have been missing this year. Possibly, in Poland the situation is similar.

Yesterday a friend sent me a cutting from a Schweriner newspaper. Maybe it is interesting for one or other to read:



Following I've tried to translate:

Where did the stroks stay?
Lots of nest are empty.

Many stork nests have remained empty this year. The cause is still unclear, said (stork adviser) ZĂśllick in Schwerin. In the area of Demmin 100 storks have barely arrived up to now, ten years ago these were even more than 140.
Also in other parts of the country less storks as usual have returned from the wintering grounds, said ZĂśllick. "Last year we had already young storks at the beginning of May".
Even if yet storks would arrive from Africa, it will be too late for offspring. The incubating amounts 32 days and for the breeding seven to eight weeks are required.

"The reasons for such a disturbance are varied", according to ZĂśllick, the good weather in April didn't help, because on their route in Turkey and in Greece very bad weather.
Also it's unclear how the way from the wintering grounds ran how the general weather situation and food offer were in the south and whether there have been poison actions for instance against grasshoppers.

Last Year - so said ZĂśllick - in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern there have been 863 breeding pairs with 1700 youngsters that have fledged. In the record year of 2004 there have even been 1150 pairs and 2500 youngster. In 2005 there has been a break to 850 pais and 1150 hatchlings. " With this low level there has remained ", he said. A problem is the lack of food. There would barely be fallow land, the lands are worked on with more and more technology.

However, ZĂśllick would not like to close a general decline of the population from it all. With the latest international counting in 2004 was a clear increase of a total of 230,000 breeding pairs been registered.

Hello plastyka, hello to all,

Due to the fact that there are barely storks in our area and thus I can only say what I know from webcams, indeed  I am not the right one for such a discussion.
But I think, there are always times in which there are lots of offspring, and others in which there are less.
Not only with storks but also with other animal species.

I suppose the animals feel themselves, when the time is good for reproduction and then they decide, whether they build a nest or not. A single year will not be stating for the future and it certainly better years will come.

Now as a start I wish of all the best for our young family in Przygodzice.

Good news from Wim Van den Bossche about White Storks success in Belgium in 2010:

“We had afterall a good White Stork season, 85 pairs raising 110 young.
Not brilliant compared to good stork habitat, but a record for our country. Unfortunatly the birds breeding outside the colonies had the worst season since 2001.
In 2009 there were 77 pairs and 93 young raised.

Wim Van den Bossche

Diensthoofd Communicatie Natuurpunt
Internationale relaties Natuurpunt, contact BirdLife Belgium
Natuurpunt, Coxiestraat 11, 2800 Mechelen, Be
wim.vandenbossche@natuurpunt.be - http://www.natuurpunt.be”

A pair of beautiful and healthy White Storks, named Hansi and Lisa, who have been unlucky to nest near the military and civil airport in Zeltweg (Austria), is threatened by shooting!

We strongly object to allowing the option of killing these protected in Europe birds. So efficient and rich in taxpayers' money institution, as the Austrian Air Force, could possibly organize a safe catch! Killing of these birds would be a very dangerous precedent!

On behalf of the Co-ordinator of our "Close to Storks" Project, Pawel T. Dolata, and all members of our forum, I encourage to sign the petition against killing Hansi and Lisa:

http://www.tierschutz-murtal.at/petition.html

Please, complete the Petition as follows:

- title: Mr / Mrs, or degree,
- first name,
- surname,
- e-mail address,
- city,
- and then, under the heading “Staat / Country”, select “Andere”, and then type in the “Comment” the name of your country .



On the page http://www.tierschutz-murtal.at , dedicated to the Storks’ protection, you can learn a little more about this shocking case. Unfortunately, the situation is very serious. It turns out that the idea of extermination of the pair of storks - Hansi and Lisa, is not the sole merit of the Austrian Air Force. What is strange and surprising, this idea is supported by all authorities, institutions, politicians and even ... project manager 'Weißstorch" (" White Stork ") in Styria! It is even stranger that despite heavy use of the airport by both, military and civil aviation, there has been no threats from storks, so far. Well, the idea to remove the storks from the area of the airport is probably due to scheduled for July 2011, a great air show 'AirPower11', which will be held just in Zeltweg! A giant party involving hundreds of planes and, of course, big business and prestige for the region. But why, as always, at the expense of nature?

The campaign against extermination of the pair of Storks from Zeltweg is gaining a greater range, it is supported and the petition is signed by storks lovers from around the world. At the same time, many people declare that they delete Austria of their holiday plans, thus giving expression to their indignation. Maybe this is some way to exert pressure on the authorities? Let's hope that all the efforts will bring the result desired by us, and, at last, Hansi an Lisa will be left in peace.

Thanks to everyone who is signing the petition, we hope ver much, that the Hansi and Lisa can stay where they choosed years ago, - in Zeltweg. Please look at them via youtube:

Let us live – Lisa and Hansi – Apel  Petition

On the HP from BirgitK Iberia-Natur you can find a wonderful photo report from Birgits experience with the Migration of White Storks at the Strait of Gibraltar

Ostatnio edytowany przez Brit (2010-10-13 05:02:39)

Hello!

Here is yesterday‘s e-mail from Monika Tielitz with good news about action of protection of this pair of White Storks in Zeltweg in Austria:

xxx

“Hello Pawel,

the press spokesman of the military, lieutenant-colonel Schweiger, visited me at my home. He is willing to find an appropriate solution.

He promised that he will talk to authorities of other airports, to inform himself about different defensive measures against the birds.

He will get back to me later.

The military fears that a new stork couple will settle down in Zeltweg, if they remove Hansi and Lisa.

It was a good move to start the petition and publish the planned removal. Up to now, I've collected over 2600 signs, what can't be ignored anymore.

I'm satisfied with the results and now waiting for their turn.

I'm very glad that you all support me so great, thank you.

With best regards,

Monika”

xxx

best regards
PaweÂł T. Dolata
South Wielkopolska Group of Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (Bird Life International partner in Poland) http://www.pwg.otop.org.pl
http://www.bociany.ec.pl - "Close to Storks" nest camera of White Storks in Przygodzice

Pawe³ T. Dolata napisał:

Hello!

Many thanks for Damka Pik as such detailed information here and for everybody who signed or will sign the petition.

Here is “hot” e-mail from Monika Tielitz from Aktiver Tierschutz Murtal (http://www.tierschutz-murtal.at), which is leader of protection campaign of  Hansie and Lisa storks, with a fresh info about the situation.

xxx

“Hello Pawel,

Thank you very much for your support from Poland. It’s nice to see, that so many people are concerned about the storks here in Zeltweg.

Recently, I have sent a request to the Defense Department of Austria, to stop the planned animal abuse. I’m still waiting for a reply.

When I receive an answer, I will let you know.

I’m wondering why BirdLife Austria hasn’t  answered my request for support yet, do you have any connections?

I will include your letter at the next possible post.

Would you publish a thankyou from me in the forum?

With kind regards,

Monika Tielitz”

xxx

best regards
PaweÂł T. Dolata
South Wielkopolska Group of Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (Bird Life International partner in Poland) http://www.pwg.otop.org.pl
http://www.bociany.ec.pl - "Close to Storks" nest camera of White Storks in Przygodzice

Hello!

Full and fresh review of all 20 projects of White Stork Ciconia ciconia colour ringing in Europe, summarized by Belgian ornithologist Dirk Raes under auspicia of EURING union, you can find on www.cr-birding.be - you must choose Ciconiidae Storks in the first, big table, and then White Stork of course.

best regards
PaweÂł T. Dolata
South Wielkopolska Group of Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (Bird Life International partner in Poland) www.pwg.otop.org.pl
www.bociany.ec.pl - "Close to Storks" nest camera of White Storks in Przygodzice

From BirdLife Malta:

White Storks hunted down
Thursday, 19 May 2011


This White Stork with serious gunshot injuries was recovered by BirdLife Malta late last night from Zurrieq. Photo by Nadja Tschovikov

The largest flock of White Storks (Cikonji Bojod) ever recorded in Malta shot at from several different locations yesterday and early this morning, as the rare birds sought overnight shelter in Malta.

At least six storks were seen shot down, while another injured stork was recovered but had to be euthanized by a vet. Yet another two injured storks were recorded in flight with dangling legs and missing feathers. A shot Glossy Ibis (Velleran), another rare migratory bird for Malta, was also received by BirdLife yesterday afternoon from Zabbar.

Late yesterday afternoon around 200 White Storks arrived in Malta. The BirdLife Malta office immediately informed the police and mobilised its field teams to monitor the birds and ensure their safety.
A hunter was reportedly apprehended by the ALE after shooting one of the Storks in Madliena, and another was apprehended by the ALE in Zurrieq with two dead storks.

The flock eventually flew towards the Luqa airport area and two groups roosted at Ta' Kandja and Zurrieq. BirdLife Malta teams, the ALE and two MEPA environment officers watched over the birds until they roosted in the evening. BirdLife Malta, joined by 9 local volunteers, maintained a watch through the night on the two known roost sites at Ta’ Kandja and Zurrieq.

During the night watch both teams heard distant shots coming from other areas.

A member of the public reported an injured stork in his field in Zurrieq. The protected bird was recovered by BirdLife and taken to an independent vet. However it had to be euthanized due to substantial gunshot injuries, including an open fracture to wing and a fractured leg.

*

Early this morning, BirdLife volunteers recorded several shots on the birds that left their roosts and at least one other Stork was shot down. The team also filmed another Stork with a dangling leg, consistent with typical gunshot injuries.
“The sighting of White Storks is a reason for joy in many countries around Europe as they are one of the most majestic species that represent the phenomenon of bird migration. Yet, in Malta their appearance causes enforcement officials and bird watchers to rush to their vehicles to protect them from the brutal hunting we witnessed over the last 24 hours.” said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta conservation and policy officer.

“Despite the efforts of our teams, the police, and MEPA’s environment officers at least seven storks were killed. Some of the birds are still flying over Malta and if they do not continue with their journey but decide to spend another night, we fear that more might be slaughtered.” continued Barbara.

BirdLife Malta calls on the Office of the Prime Minister to significantly increase minimum penalties for illegal hunting, and permanently revoke licenses for all serious hunting and trapping contraventions, as this scenario repeats itself in the Maltese islands every single migration season.

First I didn't believe it, because the time of the year doesn't fit to migration and which stork is flying over the sea? And 200 storks in one time .... So I contacted CABS (Commettee against bird slaughter) and asked. It's true and they think the same I do, that those were young storks just flying around. And maybe it was the wind ... bad luck for the ones who got shot or injured.

What can be done to help from the distance?

BirdLife and CABS (Committee against Bird Slaughter) advised to write e-mails to the Prime Minister: Lawrence Gonzi (https://opm.gov.mt/). info.primeminister@gov.mt or customercare.opm@gov.mt best both! And ask him to:

forbid hunting in spring time,
built up environment police force, build up of a special wildlife-crime-unit which not only works during migration,
higher penalties for poachers, special for the repeated offenders
hunting ban at well known Birds resting places, for example the "Mizieb" wood

and also please write to:
Mr Janez Potocnik (Commissioner for the Environment of the European Commission). It would be great if people concerned about the killing could write to him, urging the European Commission to take action to stop these illegalities, which occur every time rare birds come to Malta.
janez.potocnik@ec.europa.eu

And please: SPREAD THE WORD, that as many people as possible react and write letters to the people  responsible