The ornithologist explained how storks migrate to Africa from Ukraine and through Israel, covering long distances.

Young birds find their way by relying on innate instinct, solar and stellar landmarks, the planet’s magnetic field, and the terrain features.

Migration, especially of storks, is a natural process that allows species to survive and adapt to changes in the external environment. Temporal fluctuations in departure and return dates make the population more resilient. According to Anatoly Podobaylo, an associate professor at the Department of Ecology and Zoology of the Institute of Biology and Medicine at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, such phenomena are important for maintaining species numbers. In an interview, he shared that popular beliefs about strict migration dates are unfounded.

Podobaylo gave an example: over the years of observation, Hrytsko returned at different times, sometimes on March 19 or 20, and Odarka appeared on March 22 this year. Previously, in April, a young male unexpectedly joined, making the observation of pairs interesting.

Although it is impossible to see residual changes in bird movement over a few years, data analysis over 30 years shows that migratory birds, including storks, are starting to return to Ukraine earlier and leave later. Autumn migration, although less noticeable, has its features: the earlier a pair arrives, the sooner they will have the opportunity to raise healthy chicks.

The expert explained that before winter, birds gather in small flocks, waiting for suitable weather conditions. When warm updrafts rise, the long journey begins. These currents allow energy conservation, and young storks fly out earlier than adults, increasing their chances of survival.

The stork migration route is oriented towards Africa: they move along the Dnipro, cross Romania and Bulgaria, bypass the Black Sea, and then head to the Middle East and East Africa. The journey extends over more than a month due to delays related to waiting for favorable winds.

Answering a question about the orientation of young individuals, Podobaylo said that they use instinct, orienting themselves by the sun and stars, Earth’s magnetic field, and landscape features. However, storks do not reproduce in Africa — the hot climate and lack of resources do not allow offspring to be raised on this continent.

Amid news about birds, it is worth mentioning the appearance of predatory representatives in Ukrainian cities, posing a threat to pigeons and sparrows. Vinnytsia region also noted an unusual find: a fisherman caught a large pike weighing almost 4 kilograms.

Due to the drying up of the Kakhovka Reservoir, new natural zones have formed in the country, contributing to the proliferation of predatory animals, reminiscent of the times of the Zaporizhian Sich.

Read on – NANews Israel News