Storks Signal Summer Babies!

We are very pleased to announce the arrival of two young White Storks! The pair, who are just 7 weeks old, are around 3 feet tall and still growing. 'Zeus' and 'Athena' are settling in well to their new home at the centre and will be trained over the coming weeks to take part in our popular Aerial Antics display.

White Storks are long distance migratory birds that winter in the warmer climates of central and southern Africa and migrate north to Europe and southwestern Asia. As carnivores, they eat a variety of animal prey, including amphibians, insects, small birds, small reptiles, and fish from shallow water.

The connection between Storks and babies can be traced back to the days of the Ancient Greeks, who noticed that Storks tended to return to the same nests every year and devoted a great deal of time to caring for their young. Even after this culture faded, the connection was reinforced by Storks appearing in the Spring in northern Europe after wintering in warmer climates, this continued the belief that Storks were a symbol of the arrival of Spring and of fertility.

The eagerly-awaited arrival of the White Storks seems to have, indeed, brought on a Summer baby boom at the centre!

For more information visit Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre dayvisits page.