09.05.2005

The Clutch at the "Internet Storks" is complete (?) with five Eggs

Brood 'Troublemakers' attack the Stork Couple

The clutch was complete with four or five eggs at the latest on Sunday, May 8th. On Friday four eggs could be seen. However, the NABU-Project Leader, Winfried Boehmer, believes five eggs were laid as in previous years. Even with the nest camera it is difficult to ascertain the exact amount because the nest hollow is very deep and only during brooding relief of the storks and turning of eggs is it possible to view the clutch for a short time.
At two-day intervals, the female stork laid the eggs. Already after the very first egg the storks started to brood. After 32 days, that is at the beginning of June, the young will hatch, provided the storks will not be entangled in eyrie battles which might destroy the clutch.
Nearly every day the "Internet Storks" have to defend their eyrie. Storks are still returning from Africa which are searching for a place to nest, preferably one from the previous year. But the storks have also to watch out for brood 'troublemakers'. These are immature young storks which attack brooding storks and destroy clutches. Since the start of brooding one stork warms and guards the clutch. The partners alternate in the process of brooding which includes turning the eggs on a regular basis in order for the embryoes develop evenly. The stork with "free time" preens his/her feathers or flies away in search of food in nearby fields and meadows. When returning to the eyrie, which is always accompanied with greeting-clatter, the storks frequently bring along nest materials. The nest receives constant attention. They particularly watch that the eggs remain dry and in soft surroundings. Because brooding began with the very first egg, the young ones will hatch at the same two-day intervals as they were laid. "We assume that every other day a chick will hatch", so Winfried Boehmer.

Those who wish to inform themselves about the lives of storks and the needed measures for their protection and wish to look into their nest may do so at the televion set at the White Stork Information Centre in Vetschau/Spree Forest. The Centre is open Tuesdays to Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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