Storks Nesting at Surrey Industrial Estate Marks a Major Milestone
The White Stork Project, initiated in 2016, is focused on reintroducing storks to East and West Sussex, with sightings now extending into Surrey.
A group of storks born and raised through this Sussex-based rewilding initiative have been observed nesting at an industrial estate near Guildford, Surrey. This development has been described as a "major milestone" for the project.
The Knepp Estate in West Sussex has been working since 2016 to rewild storks in southeast England by reintroducing these migratory birds into the wild. The goal is for storks to return to the UK for the first time in approximately 600 years.
Currently, a group of these birds have established a nest at the industrial estate near Guildford, with hopes that they will successfully rear chicks in the coming years.
Laura Vaughan-Hirsch, manager of the White Stork Project, spoke to BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, stating:
"We really want these birds to do well, and to spread and thrive."
"This is a major milestone in the project for us.
These birds are young and typically start breeding at four years old. We think they are putting up a practice nest.
This winter they will likely migrate and go off again, and next spring they will try and rear chicks on that nest."
The young birds near Guildford are believed to be constructing practice nests as part of their natural development.
The Knepp rewilding project aims to restore storks to the UK for the first time since the 1500s.
Birds in the current group near Guildford have previously migrated as far as North Africa. Of the ten birds observed, eight are from the project, while two lack identification rings, indicating they originated from the wild.
Stephen Casson, chair of the Surrey Bird Club, commented on the growing interest in the nesting storks:
"We have to queue up to have a look at the nest.
They are spreading their wings all over the South East."
For more updates, follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Story ideas can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250.
- Baby storks born at UK's first 'stork village'
- Storks migrate home in reintroduction project
