The return of their feathered housemates to their nests is celebrated again this year by the residents of Poros Feron, in Evros, with the organization of 6th Stork Festival on the two days of June 2 and 3.

THE Resource considered one of the 15 European Villages of Storksa title with which the European organization EuroNatur recognizes the continuous contribution to the protection and conservation of the specific species and the commitment to informing and raising awareness of the local community

“Over the years, many people from the local community became part of this project (the festival) of the Evros Delta and Dadia National Parks Management Unit of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (OFYPECA). The residents of Poros, the European Village of Storks and the wider area of ​​the Evros Delta listen to the needs of nature and especially of the storks, learn to coexist harmoniously, protecting and loving the birds”, says the head of the Unit, Eleni, to APE-MPE Makrigianni.

Active nest record

Describing the migratory journey as a “miracle of nature”, Mrs. Makrygianni speaks of a record number of active stork nests this year, noting that there has been a slight upward trend in the last six years.

She explains that the number of active nests depends on many factors such as climatic conditions in Africa, where there is a risk of death of many storks especially young ones in case of severe drought.

“Climate change plays an important role… There is quite a bit that we still haven’t deciphered in relation to the migration journey. Perhaps due to climate change some storks no longer come down to Africa, they go all the way to Spain in the South and stay there because the climate has warmed up in our areas. Also, a wetland that has dried up suddenly can negatively affect the number of individuals as it will be favored by a lot of moisture that is directly linked to the amount of food for birds (frogs, snakes, etc.)”, he says characteristically.

6th Stork Festival

Mrs. Makrigianni explains that the goal of the Festival is to raise awareness among citizens about this specific genre.

Festivities for the return of migratory birds include presentations, educational games, ringing of stork chicks, a chess tournament, a bike race and a traditional feast. Activities that, as he clarifies, make Poros a pole of attraction for young and old, whose response is excellent. “With the assistance of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis, the level of the events is steadily rising, while the schools of the area show great interest in the events as a whole. People are informed about the life of storks, about the long journey they make every year and the important thing is that they see the birds we are talking about, their nests, young individuals preparing to fly, the ringing of chicks… Through the experiential actions can better understand what it means to protect the environment and animals,” he adds.