Spanish storks no longer take the effort to migrate to Africa for the winter. Other migratory birds are returning to the Iberian Peninsula earlier in the spring from their winter habitats in Africa.
Birdwatchers have counted 30,000 storks that overwintered in Spain. Normally storks travel to the Sahel area in Africa for the winter. The supply of food for the birds has remained healthy in Spain so there was no reason for the storks to leave.
Spanish scientists have also noted that fewer birds are migrating from Northern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula for the winter. Last season it was noted in one park that the number of ducks, storks and seagulls spending the winter months was about half the usual population.
Source: Ooievaars blijven in Spanje
