Like tourists, the birds have fled cold Europe

By Beatrice Obwocha

From afar they appear like litter floating on Lake Elementaita.

But on moving closer, the image of "white floating litter" is no more and one instantly realises these are birds.

About 200,000 white storks have migrated to Lake Elementaita in the Soysambu Conservancy from Europe.

Not only have they added a spectacular sight to the already splendid view of the pink flamingos along the lake shore but have aroused curiosity as to why they chose the lake aswhite storks are rare in East Africa. When the birds migrate from Europe, they mostly settle in South and North Africa.

Soysambu Conservancy chief executive Kathryn Combes.

In addition to the white body with black wings, the birds have red bills and feet.

In Europe, some people believe the birds bring happiness and good luck. They cherish the birds and even let them build nests in homes and churches.

According to Soysambu Conservancy chief executive Kathryn Combes, the birds arrived at the conservancy in January, but in small numbers.

She said they did not notice them at first until late last month when their number increased significantly.

Migratory Birds

"At first we did not notice them until one day we found thousands of them near the lake’s shore," she said.

They took photographs of the birds, which they later used to identify the birds from books. She said the birds rarely stop in East Africa.

"The birds often migrate to South Africa and parts of North Africa so it is amazing this time they chose here on their way back to Europe which will be getting warmer soon," she told The Standard on Saturday.

"This is rare because the common migratory birds here are flamingos. But we are glad they are here even though we do not know when they will go," she said.

At first the birds kept to marshy spots near the lake but as the number swelled, they moved further to the plains.

She said the white storks rarely perch on trees. Most of the time they are on the ground pecking.

Soysambu Conservancy Wildlife and Community Manager Mr Charles Muthui said the birds have attracted marabou storks.

He said there are usually about 100 marabou storks at the conservancy but their number had increased to more than 2,000 since the white storks arrived.

He said the marabous were hostile to the white storks, which they kill and feed on.

The white storks inhabit several European countries including Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and parts of Germany.

According to Birdlife International, the birds are carnivorous and feed on small insects such as locusts, frogs, mice, rats and snakes explaining why they attracted marabou storks that feed on the same.

The birds migrate from Europe in August arriving in Africa in October.

They then begin their journey back towards April as summer approaches in Europe.

Peter Njoroge, a bird expert from National Museums of Kenya said the white storks have been spotted in Kenya before but not in such large numbers.

Heavy Rains

He said the white storks have initially been spotted in Kenya grassland areas mostly in Eastern Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Maasai Mara between November and April.

He said they have not conducted census on how many stop over during the migratory period but the batches never exceeded 1,000 to 3,000 birds.

"If about 200,000 birds stopped in Soysambu then investigations should be done to find out why because it is unprecedented," he said.

Njoroge said the birds could be heading back to Europe as summer approaches.

He said their stopping in Soysambu could have been triggered by various factors including change of course by storm.

"There has been heavy rains in the recent past and these could have blown the birds off course or forced them to land as they cannot fly in such weather," he said.

He added that increase in food could also have attracted the white storks, as they need to feed to restore their energy for the flight back to Europe.

He attributed the increase in food to recent rains.

He said the number of the marabou storks could have increased as they prey on the young, sickly and weak white storks.

The white stork belongs to the most famous birds. Not only because of the myth linked between newborns and storks, but also because of its natural beauty and elegance. The stork is approximately 110cm (43 inches) long. Its slim body has got mainly white plumage and a black band on the wings. The bill and legs are red. The males and the females are similar. Watching them flying is always a spectacular moment.

Large Nests

The white stork inhabits different parts of the world depending on the season. During winter they inhabit northern, western and southeastern parts of Africa and Asia. In April, they return to Europe for summer. Their long journey back to Africa begins in August. They live in large nests made of sticks, dry grass and other vegetation. Their nests are generally close to water areas.

These incredibly elegant birds feed on fish, amphibians, invertebrates and small mammals. They lay up to five eggs.