THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
THE BIRDS OF SOUTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
WHITE STORK - Ciconia ciconia
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
White Stork is a widespread but declining species which breeds in the warmer parts of Europe. Sightings have increasingly occurred in Britain making White Stork an annual visitor to the UK with around twenty or so records each year; mainly during the spring and summer. It is a strong migrant wintering in tropical Africa. The name Stork comes from the Old English word 'storc' and the Proto-Germanic word 'storkas' and is thought to be a nickname which simply means 'stick'. White Stork often nest on houses where it is seen to adopt the characteristic pose of standing on one leg or, 'standing on its stick'.
There have been two White Storks reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1971: (1)
A presumed adult was reported on May 23rd from the Hallen/ Compton Greenfield area. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
2007: (1)
One possibly this species was reported in the Pucklechurch area on November 4th.