High winds destroy the storks´nest in Gautegiz Ateaga

High winds wreaked havoc in Urdaibai last Sunday. There were gusts of almost 90km/h at around 23:30.

Disaster struck in the fields next to the Urdaibai Bird Center. The tip of the tree on which a pair of storks had built their nest was unable to withstand the force of the wind.

The nest and the four young chicks occupying it fell to the ground. Sadly, all the young storks were killed.

It is the third consecutive year that the pair of storks have chosen this nesting site. This winter we were very concerned about their choice as the tree top seemed to be very unstable. Indeed last year´s old nest had also been destroyed in bad weather. In order to encourage the storks to use a safer site, we aquired a large pole and built an alternative nest in the grounds of the Urdaibai Bird Center. We hoped that they would take up our offer and raise a family here this year.

However, early this spring the storks returned to their habitual site. We watched them preparing the nest with some trepidation. Unfortunately, our worst fears were confirmed. The tree was indeed, unsound.

The adult storks have now started to take an interest in the nest we built. We are very interested to see what happens next. Will the storks have a second brood? Maybe we will be able to get a webcam on the new occupants!