Today we have installment #2 of Mark Jones’s photographs (#1 was yesterday). The photos document the return of the stork to England. You can read about their comeback in this article, which notes that the species hasn’t bred in England for hundreds of years: the last documented breeding was in fact in 1416! Yet everyone loves storks, and the conservationists’ goal is to get thirty pair breeding in nature by 2030.
Mark’s words are indented:
It is over 600 years since we have had white storks (Ciconia ciconia) in England, so imagine my excitement when, as I was photographing one of my favourite trees near my home, three of them flew down and landed on it! We just don’t see birds this size in Sussex, so it came as a bit of a shock. A complete stroke of luck, and I was also testing a new 300mm lens at the time.
These storks come from a rewilding project at Knepp Castle (www.whitestorkproject.org), which is having a bit of success at the moment with some chicks being raised and drawing the sightseers. But this is the first time I’ve seen them in Rudgwick (about 10 miles from Knepp as the stork flies). If you look closely you can see that all the storks are ringed, with a GB ‘number plate’.
Anyway the lens performed reasonably so I hope you like this selection.
Incidentally, for more context this is the tree that I was making a long exposure photo of; now with added storks.
A very fine bird. I’d be thrilled to see them in my neighborhood. I hope England is ready for a baby boom.
Great to know these lovely birds may soon be reestablished in England. Looks like they’ll have some even bigger neighbours soon!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-53349929
What magnificent birds! How I would so love to see them in person. According to the White Stork Project link they were victims of the usual habitat loss, hunting, and targeted persecution though why one would choose to hunt or persecute them it didn’t say, but then since when did this particular species of hairless ape ever need a reason to be cruel and stupid? How lovely if this reintroduction works.
We need more storks bringing baby storks and bringing fewer baby humans!
Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Nice storks.
These shots are spectacular!
Great photos, Mark. Love the storks, your special tree and the cows!