More storks opt to spend the winter in the Netherlands

Storks in a field, hunting. Photo: Depositphotos.com

More storks are overwintering in the Netherlands, according to the Dutch stork research foundation. According to preliminary figures, the volunteers spotted 583 storks in the Dutch countryside, compared with 447 last winter.

Every January, the foundation’s volunteers count the number of storks at popular locations – with the Reestdal nature reserve in Overijssel top of the list.

However, rubbish dumps are also proving popular with the growing stork population, the foundation said. This year 60 birds were spotted close to tips.

Storks usually overwinter in Africa but the relatively warm weather and abundance of food may be encouraging more to stay, the foundation said.

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