What do scientists say about this visit of birds?
In the center of Chernobyl, a group of white storks has been spotted resting for the first time in two decades. This has become a real sensation for ecologists, as the birds have not nested here since the early 2000s.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a message from the Chernobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve on Facebook.
Also read: A rare bird was captured by a camera trap in the Chernobyl Reserve: a unique shot
Main points:
- Six white storks were seen resting on the roof of a building near the “Star of Wormwood” memorial.
- The last nesting of these birds in Chernobyl was recorded 20 years ago.
- The appearance of the birds in the city center may indicate changes in the local population.
- Previously, storks in this area were seen only during seasonal migrations without stopping.
White storks in Chernobyl
“Today, in the center of Chernobyl, six white storks landed on the roof of an administrative building near the ‘Star of Wormwood’ memorial to rest. For Chernobyl, this is a real sensation: the last nesting of the white stork in the city was recorded 20 years ago,” the message states.
Experts note that the return of such a number of birds to the central part of the city opens new prospects for scientific observations. For the past two decades, storks have avoided long stops within Chernobyl itself.
White storks in Chernobyl (photo: Chernobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve/Facebook)
Black storks nest in the Exclusion Zone
About 25 pairs of black storks inhabit the Chernobyl Reserve. They usually migrate to Africa for the winter. This species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Unlike the white stork, the black stork does not settle near human habitation. For nesting, the bird chooses remote areas with abundant forests and swamps. It is important for them to have old trees with sprawling crowns.
Also read about the bird spotted in the Chernobyl Reserve that can mimic human words.
Previously, Chernobyl showcased huge animals that have already grown “crowns”.
Source: rbc.ua +rel=”nofollow”
