Latest news with #white storks
The Independent
04-08-2025
- General
- The Independent
London could once again become home to ‘talismanic' white storks
Londoners are being consulted on the potential re-establishment of white storks in the capital, a species that vanished from Britain centuries ago. Conservationists from Citizen Zoo are spearheading an appraisal to transform London into a "white stork-friendly city" through habitat mapping, engaging boroughs, and conducting public surveys. White storks, hunted to extinction in Britain by the 1400s, have seen a significant resurgence in sightings across Greater London following reintroduction efforts in southern England since 2016. The project aims to determine if these "talismanic" birds, known for thriving in urban environments across Europe, can establish themselves in London. Public opinion is being gathered through a survey, as gaining buy-in from stakeholders is considered crucial for the success of the reintroduction project. 'Iconic' birds that once vanished from Britain could be coming back to London after centuries
The Independent
04-08-2025
- General
- The Independent
Could white storks return to London? Public's views sought on ‘talismanic' bird
The public is being asked for views on the potential return of white storks to London, as part of a project to see if the 'talismanic' birds could make a home in the capital. Long-vanished white storks have been reintroduced in southern England, leading to an 'explosion' in sightings across Greater London in recent years. Now conservationists are looking at whether the metre-tall birds, which are known to thrive in urban settings on the continent, could do the same in London. Community-focused urban rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo is conducting an appraisal on making London a 'white stork-friendly city', including habitat mapping, reaching out to boroughs across the capital to gauge their response and surveying the public about the birds. White storks could once be seen flying in Britain's skies and building their huge nests on roofs and buildings as well as in trees, but disappeared centuries ago as a breeding bird due to hunting and habitat loss. Since 2016, the white stork project in Sussex has sought to create new colonies of rehabilitated injured storks – which can act as a 'magnet' for wild birds that visit from the continent – at Knepp and Wadhurst Park, with the first successful breeding in 2020. In the four decades before the start of the project there were just 27 records of white storks across Greater London. But between 2016 and 2023 there have been 472 sightings in the capital, with the numbers increasing year-on-year, conservationists said. Citizen Zoo has worked with communities to bring beavers back to Ealing, reintroduce water voles in Surrey and restore wetlands in the capital, in efforts to bring city dwellers closer to nature, deliver wellbeing benefits and make London more resilient to climate change, and is now looking at white storks. The storks have wider ecological benefits for their habitat, creating huge nests which are homes and food sources for an array of species from insects to birds. But it is their ability to inspire people about nature that has been a key part of reintroduction efforts in the UK. Elliot Newton, co-founder and director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, told the PA news agency: 'These are a really talismanic, iconic species that really do draw and attract attention. 'You look up into the skies and see a white stork, it's quite obvious.' And he said: 'We realised in recent years we've seen an explosion in white stork recordings across Greater London. 'And if you look across European landscapes, this is a bird that can actually thrive in urban landscapes, on chimneys, on pylons, and are associated with thriving in urban settings. 'What we want to see is how can we make London a more white stork-friendly environment, and embrace it for its ability to inspire people about the nature we can and should have close to where we live.' He added: 'As humans we can dictate what our urban environments look like, we are the actual architects of these spaces. 'It's completely within our will as a species to choose the environments that we build around us and we can make that conscious choice to integrate more nature into our cities, and that will bring a whole wealth of benefits.' The survey is being led by the University of Brighton's Rachel White, with two phases that mirror a national survey she conducted as part of the white stork project in Sussex. The first phase of the study has involved surveying a representative sample of 1,000 Londoners, and a second phase is asking residents and frequent visitors to give their view on white storks and their place in the capital. Dr White said: 'It is really important to be monitoring stakeholders' opinions and attitudes towards any reintroductions, because that's one of the main reasons that reintroduction projects fail – they haven't got the buy-in from the key stakeholders. 'It is really important to not assume, or to not just go ahead with projects, because you see the conservation value in it.' She said projects need to ensure a majority of people are onboard with a reintroduction, that the rationale has been clearly communicated and people have been given the opportunity to have their say. The national survey found overall people were very positive towards the species, even if they had never seen storks before, although there was a lack of knowledge about things such as the stork's diet, and even what they looked like. But a 'relatively small' number of people – often those who were ecologists, conservationists or birders – were not in favour of the reintroduction, largely because it was not a threatened species and they thought it should not be a priority for action, she added. The London survey will feed into the wider assessment by Citizen Zoo of the political and public enthusiasm and habitat availability for storks, and potential next steps such as creating more habitat to encourage natural colonisation or even a release similar to that in Sussex. However, Mr Newton added that 'nature has a fantastic tendency to surprise us', with the possibility storks could establish themselves in the capital of their own accord.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Could white storks return to London? Public's views sought on ‘talismanic' bird
The public is being asked for views on the potential return of white storks to London, as part of a project to see if the 'talismanic' birds could make a home in the capital. Long-vanished white storks have been reintroduced in southern England, leading to an 'explosion' in sightings across Greater London in recent years. Now conservationists are looking at whether the metre-tall birds, which are known to thrive in urban settings on the continent, could do the same in London. Community-focused urban rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo is conducting an appraisal on making London a 'white stork-friendly city', including habitat mapping, reaching out to boroughs across the capital to gauge their response and surveying the public about the birds. White storks could once be seen flying in Britain's skies and building their huge nests on roofs and buildings as well as in trees, but disappeared centuries ago as a breeding bird due to hunting and habitat loss. Since 2016, the white stork project in Sussex has sought to create new colonies of rehabilitated injured storks – which can act as a 'magnet' for wild birds that visit from the continent – at Knepp and Wadhurst Park, with the first successful breeding in 2020. In the four decades before the start of the project there were just 27 records of white storks across Greater London. But between 2016 and 2023 there have been 472 sightings in the capital, with the numbers increasing year-on-year, conservationists said. Citizen Zoo has worked with communities to bring beavers back to Ealing, reintroduce water voles in Surrey and restore wetlands in the capital, in efforts to bring city dwellers closer to nature, deliver wellbeing benefits and make London more resilient to climate change, and is now looking at white storks. The storks have wider ecological benefits for their habitat, creating huge nests which are homes and food sources for an array of species from insects to birds. But it is their ability to inspire people about nature that has been a key part of reintroduction efforts in the UK. Elliot Newton, co-founder and director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, told the PA news agency: 'These are a really talismanic, iconic species that really do draw and attract attention. 'You look up into the skies and see a white stork, it's quite obvious.' And he said: 'We realised in recent years we've seen an explosion in white stork recordings across Greater London. 'And if you look across European landscapes, this is a bird that can actually thrive in urban landscapes, on chimneys, on pylons, and are associated with thriving in urban settings. 'What we want to see is how can we make London a more white stork-friendly environment, and embrace it for its ability to inspire people about the nature we can and should have close to where we live.' He added: 'As humans we can dictate what our urban environments look like, we are the actual architects of these spaces. 'It's completely within our will as a species to choose the environments that we build around us and we can make that conscious choice to integrate more nature into our cities, and that will bring a whole wealth of benefits.' The survey is being led by the University of Brighton's Rachel White, with two phases that mirror a national survey she conducted as part of the white stork project in Sussex. The first phase of the study has involved surveying a representative sample of 1,000 Londoners, and a second phase is asking residents and frequent visitors to give their view on white storks and their place in the capital. Dr White said: 'It is really important to be monitoring stakeholders' opinions and attitudes towards any reintroductions, because that's one of the main reasons that reintroduction projects fail – they haven't got the buy-in from the key stakeholders. 'It is really important to not assume, or to not just go ahead with projects, because you see the conservation value in it.' She said projects need to ensure a majority of people are onboard with a reintroduction, that the rationale has been clearly communicated and people have been given the opportunity to have their say. The national survey found overall people were very positive towards the species, even if they had never seen storks before, although there was a lack of knowledge about things such as the stork's diet, and even what they looked like. But a 'relatively small' number of people – often those who were ecologists, conservationists or birders – were not in favour of the reintroduction, largely because it was not a threatened species and they thought it should not be a priority for action, she added. The London survey will feed into the wider assessment by Citizen Zoo of the political and public enthusiasm and habitat availability for storks, and potential next steps such as creating more habitat to encourage natural colonisation or even a release similar to that in Sussex. However, Mr Newton added that 'nature has a fantastic tendency to surprise us', with the possibility storks could establish themselves in the capital of their own accord. To take part in the survey, people can visit:
The Independent
03-08-2025
- General
- The Independent
‘Iconic' white storks could be coming back to London after centuries
Londoners are being consulted on the potential re-establishment of white storks in the capital, as part of a project to determine if these "talismanic" birds can once again thrive in the city. The majestic birds, which vanished from Britain centuries ago, have seen a resurgence following reintroduction efforts in southern England, leading to a notable "explosion" in sightings across Greater London. Conservationists are now exploring whether the metre-tall birds, known for flourishing in urban environments across Europe, could similarly establish themselves in London. The urban rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo is spearheading an appraisal to transform London into a "white stork-friendly city". This involves comprehensive habitat mapping, engaging with boroughs across the capital to assess their receptiveness, and conducting public surveys. Historically, white storks were a common sight in British skies, constructing their large nests on rooftops, buildings, and in trees, before their disappearance as a breeding species in the 1400s due to hunting and habitat destruction. Since 2016, the white stork project in Sussex has sought to create new colonies of rehabilitated injured storks – which can act as a 'magnet' for wild birds that visit from the continent – at Knepp and Wadhurst Park, with the first successful breeding in 2020. In the four decades before the start of the project, there were just 27 records of white storks across Greater London. But between 2016 and 2023 there have been 472 sightings in the capital, with the numbers increasing year-on-year, conservationists said. Citizen Zoo has worked with communities to bring beavers back to Ealing, reintroduce water voles to Surrey and restore wetlands in the capital, in efforts to bring city dwellers closer to nature, deliver wellbeing benefits and make London more resilient to climate change, and is now looking at white storks. The storks have wider ecological benefits for their habitat, creating huge nests which are homes and food sources for an array of species from insects to birds. But it is their ability to inspire people about nature that has been a key part of reintroduction efforts in the UK. Elliot Newton, co-founder and director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, said: 'These are a really talismanic, iconic species that really do draw and attract attention. 'You look up into the skies and see a white stork, it's quite obvious.' He said: 'We realised in recent years we've seen an explosion in white stork recordings across Greater London. 'And if you look across European landscapes, this is a bird that can actually thrive in urban landscapes, on chimneys, on pylons, and are associated with thriving in urban settings. 'What we want to see is how can we make London a more white stork-friendly environment, and embrace it for its ability to inspire people about the nature we can and should have close to where we live.' The survey is being led by the University of Brighton 's Rachel White, with two phases that mirror a national survey she conducted as part of the white stork project in Sussex. The first phase of the study has involved surveying a representative sample of 1,000 Londoners, and a second phase is asking residents and frequent visitors to give their view on white storks and their place in the capital. Dr White said: 'It is really important to be monitoring stakeholders' opinions and attitudes towards any reintroductions, because that's one of the main reasons that reintroduction projects fail – they haven't got the buy-in from the key stakeholders. 'It is really important to not assume, or to not just go ahead with projects, because you see the conservation value in it.' The national survey found overall people were very positive towards the species, even if they had never seen storks before, although there was a lack of knowledge about matters such as the stork's diet, and even what they look like. But a 'relatively small' number of people – often those who were ecologists, conservationists or birders – were not in favour of the reintroduction, largely because it was not a threatened species and they thought it should not be a priority for action, she added. The London survey will feed into the wider assessment by Citizen Zoo of the political and public enthusiasm and habitat availability for storks, and potential next steps such as creating more habitat to encourage natural colonisation or even a release similar to that in Sussex. However, Mr Newton added that 'nature has a fantastic tendency to surprise us', with the possibility storks could establish themselves in the capital of their own accord.
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Stork sightings on the increase in Ireland
This amazing bird, a Spanish stork, was seen at the seventh green, Bangor Golf Club, in early June. Michael Hatch, Bangor, Co Down There seems to have been quite a few sightings of white storks in Ireland this year during April, May and June, much more than any other year. White storks winter in Africa and fly to Europe to breed. The western population flies in over Gibraltar and breeds in Spain and parts of France. Those seen in Ireland overshot their destination and ended up here. There are no records of them nesting here and indeed their nests would be hard to miss as they build big nests on the roofs of tall houses and on prominent buildings in towns. Bluetit nestbox. Photograph: Sharlette Caplin We had a nest box in our garden in Terenure. I captured the last fledgling in this picture before it flew the nest in June. I am sending it in to you so that everyone can get pleasure from the image. Sharlette Caplin By providing bluetits with correctly positioned nest boxes, gardeners can encourage them into their gardens. They typically lay seven-11 eggs and feed the young with greenflies, caterpillars, spiders and other small insects. As each parent visits the box with a mouthful of insect food 500 times a day each during the height of the breeding season, gardeners are delighted with them. Once they fledge and leave the nest box, that's it – they are gone for the year. READ MORE Yellowtail caterpillar. Photograph: Gordon Gallagher I found this colourful creature on a leaf in our hawthorn hedge. Can you please help me identify it? Gordon Gallagher, Athboy, Co Meath Identifying caterpillars can be difficult. There are five instar stages of development as they grow, which may all differ from each other. The people at are generous with help and advice and they appreciate records being sent to them. This is the final caterpillar stage of the yellowtail moth, which is much more flamboyant as a caterpillar than an adult. The hairs can cause severe irritation if handled or eaten, so most birds leave it alone. Grasshopper. Photograph: M Corr What sort of grasshopper was on my window. How could it get there – can grasshoppers fly or was it one almighty hop? M Corr, Balbriggan, Dublin We have five species of grasshopper in Ireland and all of them can fly, although they don't do it very often. This is the field grasshopper – Chorthippus brunneus – a female, as the end of its abdomen is not turned up like the prow of a boat. Your excellent photograph shows clearly the sharply indented keel on the area behind the head. This distinguishes it from that of the common green grasshopper, which has parallel sides. Your image shows too the pegs on the underside of its back legs. It rubs these against a strong vein on the edge of the green forewings to produce the chirping 'song'. White spider. Photograph: Muireann O'Sullivan We spotted this unusual looking white spider in our garden this month in Cork. What is it called do you know? Muireann O'Sullivan, Caherlag, Co Cork Indeed, I do know what it is called. It has several names – the flower crab spider, misumena vatia and white death, a name that describes exactly what this spider does. This is a female, which is three times as large and much deadlier than the male. It normally sits motionless in white flowers, where it can't be easily seen, and ambushes insects that come to feed. When a visiting bee or butterfly sticks in its head to get a drink of nectar, this spider bites it just behind the head and immediately paralyses it with its venom. It then dines on it leisurely by sucking out its soft insides. Please submit your nature query, observation, or photo, with a location, via or by email to weekend@
