Grandpa Storky returns to Planckendael for 15th year
The migrating storks have returned to their nests in Planckendael animal park in Mechelen
More than 100 storks are nesting in the park
Some of the Planckendael colony have spent the winter in Spain, while others ventured as far as western Africa, a journey split up into stages of up to 300km a day. Once arrived, they will pair off, breed and raise their young. Female storks typically lay one batch of four eggs in a year.
The storks are not, strictly speaking, part of the park’s collection of animals. They have rather chosen the park’s buildings and fixtures for their nests, while they fly around freely. The park encourages the birds’ return by building special metal structures perfect for using to build nests. The birds generally return to the same nests every year.
The storks are often seen strolling in the car park or along the park’s lanes, to the delight of visitors. Last year there were a record 52 nests in and around the Planckendael, and the park’s management hopes this year to host even more.
The most notable of the returning storks is the eldest, named Grandpa Storky, now returning to Mechelen for the 15th time. Storky was born in Planckendael in 2000 and has returned every year since then.
Storks are mute and communicate by rattling their bills. They live on fish, frogs and insects, but have been known to eat small birds and mammals. In English, a group of storks is known as a phalanx or a muster.
Photo courtesy VRT
