07.04.2008

Stork Love caught Fire

The whole World watches

It now appears to be clear: Cico, the male of the "Internet Storks", "tied the matrimonial knot". On Friday, April 4th a female stork joined him, which he obviously tolerates and for which he "has fallen". Three nights they have already spent together at the eyrie, together they improve the nest and copulate several times - all visible signs that they found each other. Admittedly the NABU Project Leader Winfried Boehmer points out, "No never know with Cico, Even after days of true stork love he often changes his partner.

On March 27th Cico arrived at the eyrie and has waited since then for a partner, Most of the time he stood or sat in the nest. He only left the eyrie every day for a few hours to feed. That the new arrival is a female was easily ascertained. She is a little pudgier than Cico. This shows that she is a female. The males are somewhat larger and stronger. In addition her legs are a bit whiter and can be well recognized. The white legs are a leftover from Africa. During high temperatures the storks chalk their legs to prevent overheating.

Neither of the storks is banded. This means, it remains a mystery from where the have come and how old they are. Cico's behaviour, however, points to the fact that he bred at this eyrie in previous years.

In about a week the laying of eggs will begin. Four or five eggs, seldom even six, will be laid at intervals of two days. After a 32-day incubation period the young ones will finally hatch.

Your Stork Team

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