- Migratory avian species have commenced their journeys towards the southern regions.
Autumn might declare its arrival on September 22nd according to our calendar, but the initial wave of migratory birds has commenced their odyssey towards the south, leaving Germany behind. Predominantly, these early travelers are swifts, as informed by Thomas Norgall, a member of the German Federal Association for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) in Hesse.
migratory birds make a brief appearance in Germany from spring to summer for breeding purposes and then proceed towards their winter homes beyond the Sahara. Due to global warming, these birds have been arriving in Germany slightly ahead of schedule and leaving later than usual.
"Swifts are true avian nomads," asserts Norgall, a BUND expert in nature conservation. "They sleep, eat, and even mate while in flight. Their sole diet consists of airborne insects."
Capable of reaching a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour and displaying agility akin to a high-performance vehicle, swifts share similarities in flight patterns and hunting techniques with swallows. However, they are not members of the same family. Swallows belong to the category of songbirds, while swifts are classified under the swift order. Norgall adds, "The southernly journey of the first swallows is also well underway."
Likewise, storks have begun their collective exodus towards their southern winter abodes. "The increased sightings of storks can be attributed to the arrival of the younger ones," explains Norgall. A subset of these storks, influenced by climate change, have chosen to overwinter in Germany. They construct their nests on chimneys, rooftops, poles, and church towers and mainly feed on mice, earthworms, and insects.
The Commission's implementation of acts for this Regulation could potentially affect the migration patterns of various bird species, including swifts and storks, due to changes in their habitat or food sources. After completing their breeding season in Germany, swifts and storks shall adopt the rules set by the Commission's implementing acts when they venture towards their winter homes.
