Stork's nest in Grafenau: ringing with high altitude and expert knowledge!

Stork's nest in Grafenau: ringing with high altitude and expert knowledge!

On June 8, 2025, a very special event will be celebrated in Grafenau: National Park employee Helmut Hackl took on the ringing of storks, a project that is of great importance not only for the small birds, but also for nature conservation. The fire department ensured that the bird ringers could safely reach the stork's nest using a turntable ladder. This campaign makes it clear how important cooperation between different organizations and volunteer work in nature conservation is.

Hackl, who already has extensive experience in ringing tawny owls and hawk owls, is a certified bird ringer. He now also applies this qualification to the storks, whose ringing has been transferred to the national park administration. Markus Schmidberger, head of the LBV Center for People and Nature, was on site and gave Hackl important information on the ground.

Ringing: An important step in protecting biodiversity

When ringing, experts like Hackl have to climb to lofty heights. The rings used in this process are made of plastic and are placed directly over the storks' knee joints. Interestingly, these rings are attached by hand, no pliers are required. To save the storks additional stress, a blanket is used to calm them during the process.

During the campaign, Hackl ringed a total of three small storks in a short time. These rings contain important information that provides information about the location of the ring. In just a few weeks, these young animals, now equipped with rings, will make their first attempts at flight. An additional exciting aspect is that a webcam allows those interested to watch the storks training while flapping their wings.

Commitment to biodiversity and nature conservation

This ringing is part of the commitment of the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV). The LBV is Bavaria's oldest nature conservation association and aims to experience and protect species and habitats. This focus is closely related to the fascination for birds and nature that motivates many members. Scientific data and biological diversity, which includes both species diversity and the diversity of ecosystems, are the focus of the association's work.

Climate change and species loss represent clear challenges that humanity must urgently overcome in the 21st century. The LBV plays a crucial role by supervising nature and species protection projects, purchasing biotope areas and carrying out educational work in Bavaria. This commitment is not only aimed at protecting nature, but also at education for sustainable development. The association would like to encourage people to actively work towards a sustainable and livable future.