Natural History Wanderings

Birdwatch Magazine report on how stork are eating junk food and how this is changing migration patterns.

White Storks are addicted to junk food and make round-trips of almost 60 miles to get their fix, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

In folklore, storks would carry babies to parents around the world, but since the mid 1980s increasing numbers no longer migrate from Europe to Africa for the winter. Instead, many live in Spain and Portugal the whole year round, feeding on ‘junk food’ from landfill sites, which provide an abundant and reliable food supply.

The bird is among a growing number of migratory species that have changed their behaviour due to human influences and global environmental change.

Read full story at  Storks stay home for junk food | News | Birdwatch Magazine