Storks in Potsdam: Offspring endangered by drought and lack of food!

Storks in Potsdam: Offspring endangered by drought and lack of food!

Storks are a highlight of the local nature in Potsdam, but this year they are facing major challenges. As the MAZ reported that the stock is suffering from the combination of drought and heat. These extreme weather conditions have meant that only ten of the original 25 young animals survived this year, while four out of ten stork nests were orphaned. The parents struggle to find enough food, especially the coveted earthworms.

There is a worrying situation for the feathered residents in Potsdam. Manfred Pohl, the white stork representative of the Nature Conservation Association (Nabu), emphasizes the difficulties faced by the storks, which are exacerbated by the drought. They need hours to find their prey and are forced to hunt even rarer animals such as grasshoppers, mice and small snakes. Particularly tragic: a dead chick was found at a location in Satzkorn, presumably thrown out of the nest.

Lack of food and dangerous roads

But it's not just the drought that's giving the storks a headache. Lack of food and intensive agriculture mean that the birds search for food in the roadside ditches. Lutz Ittermann, wildlife officer for the Oder-Spree district, reports a worrying increase in accidents involving storks. In the last few weeks there have been at least six collisions with cars in eastern Brandenburg, which shows how critical the situation has become for the storks. The damage caused by the increased traffic volume could have devastating consequences for the population, such as rbb24 reported.

Food is essential for the storks, and especially after mowing, they often find the ditches as their last opportunity to catch something quickly. However, this is becoming increasingly dangerous. Bernd Ludwig, an expert on storks and member of Nabu, emphasizes that the loss of habitats and monocultures in agriculture are significantly reducing the storks' food supply.

A call for change

The current challenges facing storks are part of a larger problem: the loss of biodiversity. As part of the biodiversity strategy for 2030, the EU Parliament has formulated clear goals to protect and restore ecosystems. It calls for protecting at least 30 percent of the EU's marine and land areas, as stated in the EU side is explained. The return of storks and other species depends on restoring their habitats and creating secure food sources.

The news from Potsdam is not only alarming for the storks living there, but also sheds light on the challenges we all have to face in the fight to protect species. Whether through a return to nature, through protective measures or through a rethink in agriculture - there is something happening! The everyday decisions we make have a direct impact on wildlife.