Drought is raving stork colony in the Zwin, where barely four young people will survive: « Lack of food » (Knokke-Heist)

The persistent drought of recent months is taking its toll in the Zwin Natuur Park, where the first stork boy of the year was born on April 29. Different nests yield 10 to 22 new chicks annually, under normal circumstances. But that number is a lot lower this year. « We currently expect that barely four stork boys will survive the breeding season, » said Ina de Wasch, director in the Zwin. « That number may still increase because some chicks are not visible. But it doesn’t look good. »

“There has also been a considerable biodiversity crisis for a number of years. And it is becoming more acute year after year »

Ina de Wasch

Boost

Biodiversity crisis

The reason? A lack of food. In the spring, storks for their food supply are largely dependent on earthworms. That food source is then in line in large quantities and it is an ideal, ready -to -do chunk when the chicks are small. Not this year: with such drought, earthworms crawl deep into the ground, out of the reach of storks. « It is now also clear that a considerable biodiversity crisis has been raging for a number of years. And it is becoming more acute year after year, » said the Wasch.

Read also. First Stork Yong of the Year Born in Het Zwin: « In the coming days, even more will be expected »

Of the eleven breeding pairs, only three are still active with living chicks. A lot of couples saw all their youngsters die. « For the breeding season there were already signs that it would be a year to quickly forget for the Zwinooiaars. The start of the eggg was late and a few couples did not even start laying eggs. Then a number of couples had to stop their breeding attempt, » it still says in the Zwin.(JVE)