Although monitoring the White Stork population in Albania for the year 2020 seemed to be impossible due to COVID-19 and the difficult working situation, AOS continued its efforts by working closely with AOS local supporters, in order to increase the number of nesting White Storks in Albania. Recently, a call from AOS local supporter, Xhevdet Greca, revealed the latest update on the current status of the artificial platform installed by AOS and OST in spring 2019, located in the north-eastern part of Fier.
The long-awaited news—the White stork (arrived 1 week ago) is no longer alone. Even with a late arrival, the other partner has already arrived. Currently, a “love story” is sparkling from their nest, where the couple constantly performs the beak clash ritual and displays love through constant care.
However, the past of these White Storks has not always been a success story. The trajectory of their past is filled with hopeful and painful moments. In 2016 the White Stork pair settled in a new territory, where they raised two chicks. One year later, in 2017, the pair managed to hatch four chicks. Unfortunately, one of the young birds was electrocuted in a low voltage line. Following, in 2018, the White Storks had to rebuild the nest destroyed by strong winds and they managed to hatch and raise four youngsters. But the couple was faced with the same phenomenon; two young White Storks were again electrocuted. Last year, in 2019, despite the platform being set, the mother never returned to the nest while the father waited alone for months until the autumn migration.
Today, in 2020, the artificial platform installed within the framework of “Measures to mitigate electrocution and collision in some of the main migration corridors, with emphasis on the recovery of the breeding population of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Albania“ project, on Earth Day, is inhabited by the White Stork pair. This news definitely delights us immensely and we remain hopeful that this season will be successful.
GOD BLESS THEM!!!
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