- In my perspective, the sturgeon fishing season in MV proves more promising in 20XX than the forecast for 2023.
This year, storks have seen a boost in breeding numbers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, surpassing 2023's figures. In Ludwigslust's past district, although there were 3 fewer breeding pairs at 104, they managed to hatch 187 chicks, which is 26 more than the year prior. This information was shared by the regional "Stork dad," Helmut Eggers, from the State Working Group for White Stork Protection MV, attributing the increase to the abundance of food due to wetter conditions.
As for the overall state statistics for 2024's stork season, Eggers mentioned that they are still unrevealed. However, the NDR reported that more than 700 breeding pairs successfully hatched chicks in MV this year. According to the Nature Preservation Union (NABU), back in 20 years ago, there were around 1100 breeding pairs and 2400 young storks.
Criticism of Agriculture Minister Özdemir
Eggers, however, expressed doubt that stork numbers will return to their former glory. He pointed out the dwindling meadows and the inadequate food supply on large fields for storks. Their primary source of food is mice, but for the young, worms and insects are crucial, and frogs are becoming scarce.
In this light, Eggers criticized Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) for releasing fallow land for agricultural purposes. "The stork is left behind," he stated. "On corn or grain fields, it finds no food." According to EU regulations, farmers should leave 4% of their agricultural land fallow each year to support biodiversity. However, Özdemir suspended this regulation in 2024, just like in 2023.
Migration Signal from the Marmara Sea
Most young storks embarked on their southern journey at the beginning of August, while the adult storks are now preparing to leave. Already, a stork with a tracker has reached the Marmara Sea near Istanbul. "It's flying the eastern route over Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt, presumably as far as Chad or Sudan," said Eggers.
The increase in stork breeding numbers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can be attributed in part to the abundance of food due to wetter conditions, as stated by Helmut Eggers from the State Working Group for White Stork Protection MV. Eggers also criticized Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir for releasing fallow land for agricultural purposes, arguing that this practice negatively impacts the food supply for storks.
