Latest news with #DoretteEngi
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Storks released in Devon for first time in 600 years
Conservationists have released 10 white storks in North Devon, in south-west comes as part of a long-term rewilding and species recovery project in the the first time that the birds have returned to the county, after centuries of being extinct in the were once a familiar sight across the country but vanished due to habitat loss and hunting. What's happened? The white storks were released from a farm in north Devon, after being raised in two large aviaries on the Engi, who owns the farm, said that she along with her children had spent several years rewilding their land, which now includes recreated wetlands, mixed grasslands and restored woodlands. Conservation organisation Keep It Wild also worked on the project to release the birds. Ms Engi said those watching "all had their breath taken away" when the storks flew free for the first time."It's extraordinary. These birds haven't lived freely here in over 600 years, yet as soon as they were given the choice, they stepped out into the landscape like it had always been theirs," Ms Engi explained. The birds are not being tracked with GPS, but early signs suggest they are staying close, building their strength and confidence before migrating Viney, director at Keep It Wild, added: "My hope is that more and more landowners will see these magnificent birds and be able to reimagine the land in their stewardship, into one where we can all thrive."The storks are expected to leave in August and fly through France to hope is that they will then return to Devon, as long as there is a colony to come back to.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Storks soar over Devon again after '600 years'
Storks have made a "phenomenal" return to Devon after centuries of being extinct in the white storks have been released from a privately owned farm in north Devon as a result of a long-term rewilding and species recovery project. Dorette Engi, who owns the farm, said those watching "all had their breath taken away" when the 10 storks flew free for the first stopped breeding in Britain 600 years ago due to hunting and habitat loss. 'Extraordinary' Mrs Engi and her children have spent several years rewilding her land, which now includes recreated wetlands, mixed grasslands and restored storks were raised in two large aviaries at the site, which forms part of a growing network of satellite locations developed by the Keep It Wild storks released in north Devon are not tracked with GPS, but early signs suggest they are staying close, building their strength and confidence before migrating abroad."It's extraordinary. These birds haven't lived freely here in over 600 years, yet as soon as they were given the choice, they stepped out into the landscape like it had always been theirs," she storks are expected to leave in August and fly through France to Spain. The hope is they will stay in Europe until they pair up and will then return to Devon where they were born, as long as there is a colony to come back to. In order to achieve this Mrs Engi is planning to get two breeding pairs of flightless storks as an anchor to create a colony and attract them back in. She said: "It's a dangerous journey but I hope they have a good time and enjoy their Spanish holiday." "I'm Swiss - there are storks everywhere - so for me they are a little bit part of the landscape," she said."We all look up and stop whatever we're doing. They're beautiful."She said the release was "phenomenal" and "it was completely unexpected how nerve-wracking" it Viney, director at Keep It Wild, said: "My hope is that more and more landowners will see these magnificent birds and be able to reimagine the land in their stewardship, into one where we can all thrive."
