Germany’s White Stork Population More Than Quintuples

The Naturschutzbund Nabu reports Germany now has 15,000 breeding pairs of white storks this season, the highest number since record-keeping began. Fewer than 3,000 breeding pairs existed in both East and West Germany during the 1980s, with the species disappearing entirely from many regions due to intensive agriculture, wetland drainage, and dangers during migration.

The recovery is attributed to targeted conservation efforts, including the rewetting of moors and increased grassland management tailored to the storks’ needs. Additionally, storks are adapting by shortening their autumn migrations.

Notably, the primary migration route has shifted. Three-quarters of Germany’s storks now winter in Spain, finding food in rice fields and landfills, while previously three-quarters migrated to Africa. The highest stork densities are now in the states of Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, with the district of Groß-Gerau boasting 90 pairs per 100 square kilometers.