21 White Storks Soar Free on Bodmin Moor

Twenty-one white storks were recently released into the wild on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, marking a significant milestone for rewilding efforts. Most of these birds hatched on the moor this year and are now experiencing freedom after being raised in an aviary.

The storks are anticipated to spend approximately two months in Cornwall before migrating south for the winter, potentially to regions like southern Spain or Morocco. The ultimate goal of the Cornwall Stork Project is for these birds to return to the area where they hatched in a few years and successfully reproduce, establishing a new generation.

This initiative follows a successful model established at the Knepp estate in West Sussex, which began reintroducing storks in 2016. The project emphasizes releasing chicks born in controlled breeding aviaries, leveraging their strong homing instinct to ensure they return to their birthplace. This approach aims to overcome challenges related to releasing birds into unfamiliar environments.

While Natural England acknowledges the charismatic nature of white storks and their role in engaging the public with nature, they note that storks were not historically native breeding birds in England. The project founder argues that climate change is shifting bird migration ranges northward, citing examples like the European bee-eater and glossy ibis. He also highlights the ecological function of storks in fostering conversations about healthy soils, organic farming, and wetland preservation.