Ornithologist: large stork flocks in August are a natural sign of migration preparation

In early August, social media users from various parts of Latvia began sharing sightings of large white stork flocks. Some observers said they had never seen so many of these birds gathered in one place. The discussion started with a question about cranes leaving, but commenters noted that in the Preiļi area, it was storks that could be seen circling in large numbers.

Users offered a mix of jokes and theories. Referring to the old belief that storks deliver babies, one person joked that many newborns would soon arrive in the Preiļi area, while another called the flocks “frog tourists.” Some reminded others that August is when storks start preparing to leave. There was also an unconfirmed claim linking the larger number of storks in Latvia to the war in Ukraine, suggesting birds had moved away from areas near the front line.

LA.LV asked Ance Priedniece, head of the white stork monitoring at the Latvian Ornithological Society, whether such large flocks are unusual. She said there is no reason for concern, as this is natural stork behaviour.

Priedniece explained that white storks reach sexual maturity only at the age of three to six years, and young non-breeding birds spend the summer in flocks. At this time of year, most chicks have already left their nests, so flocks can include this year’s young birds as well as adults that have raised chicks.

The reason for the gathering is practical: the birds are building up energy reserves before flying to Africa. The ornithologist noted that an unusually large concentration in one place could also indicate a shortage of food in other territories.