10.04.2007

The slovenly life is over for Cico - the first egg is expected sometime this week

Since April 4th, the stork male, Cico, has kept a solid relationship. Previous to that, Cico only flirted for a few hours with different females. The fourth female, presumably Luna of the prior year, appears to be the right one. "Our" stork couple, world renown as the Internet Storks, seemed to be content with each other.

Since they found each other, much copulation has taken place, and both build diligently on the nest. On top of the willow basket, which serves as the nest foundation, the storks have stacked many branches in the meantime. Around the outside they have braided a dense wreath of branches, and have padded the inside with soft hay and straw.

The English name "eyrie" is a commoner version of "aerie" and is derived from Latin, and applies to birds which build their nest in high places. The German word "Horst", on the other hand, refers to "thicket". What both storks present during the construction of the nest, the word is easily retraced.

We can, with fair certainty, expect to marvel at the first egg. At about 5 to 10 days after copulation the laying of eggs begins. Three to five eggs, at a frequency of two days, are laid as a rule. After 32 days of incubation the young ones will hatch.

Previously, Cico enjoyed his single status, and did not miss any opportunity. Since his arrival on March 23rd, he "grazed" on at least three females, whom he allowed to stay at the eyrie for a short time, one he chased away with beats of the beak, the others left the eyrie after a few hours of stork love.

Daily more storks arrived at the Spree Forest and occupy the numerous eyries. They are longingly anticipated by the people. About 70% of the eyries are now occupied by stork pairs. During such early arrivals the couples lay quite a few eggs, often five. This is a good precondition for a successful stork year.

The White Stork Information Centre in Vetschau is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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