BirdLife South Africa has received numerous reports of White Storks Ciconia ciconia nesting on top of newly-built football stadiums in the country. This is seen as an omen of good luck and is fuelling hopes that an African country is destined to win this year’s 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“White Storks are usually arriving in their European breeding grounds at this time”, said Mark D. Anderson – Executive Director of BirdLife South Africa. “However, we’ve received dozens of reports of White Storks failing to migrate; instead they’ve been observed nest-building on the top of football stadiums around the country”.

According to mythology, the White Stork is responsible for delivering babies to new parents. This story probably came about because White Storks have a habit of nesting on buildings in urban areas. “We’re hoping the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be our ‘new arrival’ in Africa!”, added Anderson.

Quote: “We’re hoping the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be our ‘new arrival’ in Africa!” Mark D. Anderson – Executive Director of BirdLife South Africa

The White Stork is a strong migrant and traditionally breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, north-west Africa, and south-west Asia. It’s only been recorded breeding on a few occasions in South Africa – such as at Tygerberg Zoo in the Western Cape - and nothing on this scale. “We think the new soccer stadiums have provided an
opportunity for storks to remain in South Africa during this important year which they’ve taken full advantage of”, postulated Anderson.

During their annual migrations, White Storks – like many birds - face a number of threats including illegal hunting, poisoning and collision with powerlines. “By staying
in South Africa they are avoiding a number of potential threats, as well as saving themselves lots of energy”, said Dr Jonathan Barnard - BirdLife’s Senior Programme
Manager.

This isn’t the first time that White Storks have caused a major stir. In 2001, a White Stork fitted with a satellite tracking device was arrested in Burundi on suspicion of spying. The stork - named Saturn – was part of a research project studying the birds' annual migration between Africa and Europe. Furthermore, a White Stork
captured in the German village of Klütz in 1822 provided the first real evidence of bird migration when an African arrow was removed from its neck.

Quote: “… White Storks really show the perilous lives our migratory birds lead” Dr Jonathan Barnard - BirdLife’s Senior Programme Manager

Despite a number of storks choosing the stay in South Africa this year, many are starting to arrive safely back in Europe. In Germany NABU (BirdLife Partner) has
been using tracking devices to follow three White Storks. Two males - Hobor and Helmut – have already returned to their breeding sites safely. However, the female - Gertrude – sadly died in Tanzania.

Germany also hosted the previous FIFA World Cup, and many football supporters in the country - and across Europe - are now scanning the skies hoping that White
Storks return to bring their team good luck in 2010. And it’s not just adults, children all over Europe have already spotted 4460 storks as part of BirdLife’s Spring Alive campaign.

Photographer Credit – Valter Jacinto

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written by Carlos Carvalho , April 06, 2010

I live in Portugal. I've been seeing white storks return to their nests here since February(that's much earlier than normal). Does that mean that Portugal will win the World Cup?

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