28.06.2002

Highlight - Ringing

On Thursday, July the 4th, at about 3:00 pm (9:00 am Eastern Daylight Saving Time in North America) the young storks at the eyrie of the Vetschau Internstorks will received their rings. Mrs. Katharina Illig of Luckau will perform the procedure. She is very proficient and licensed to do the work. envia will supply the required lifting technology.

Interested people as well as Spree Forest guests are most welcome to experience this activity directly at the White-Stork Information Centre at Vetschau/Spree Forest. The ringing can also be observed live via the Web-Cam. Ringing is performed to readily identify the animals at any time. For instance, one can ascertain where they incubate or how old they become. Often people worry about the young ones jumping out of the nest or that the parent storks might leave them. Not to worry. In case of impending danger, as during the appearance of the ring technician, the young ones press themselves spontaneously flat against the nest hollow and remain motionless with head and neck stretched out. This instinctive behaviour (acinese), feings loss of mobility or death and offers the least incentive for aggressiveness. During the ringing procedure of a year ago this behaviour was excellently observed. The rings were fastened to their feet without a problem. Within fifteen minutes the activity was completed. The young ones' rigidity loosened after twenty minutes. The parent storks were in search of food and did not notice any of the events at the eyrie. Even if the parent storks are temporarily chased away, their bonding with the young ones is so strong that they will return after a short time.

Zurück zur vorigen Seite