Adapted Stork - The New World of White Storks - White storks thrive in NRW with record 1,027 breeding pairs in 2025
The white stork population in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has hit a record high, with 1,027 breeding pairs and 1,540 fledglings counted in 2025. This marks a dramatic recovery from just three breeding pairs in the Minden-Lübbecke district back in 1991. Meanwhile, the first storks have now returned from their wintering grounds, signalling the start of another breeding season.
White storks were once on the brink in NRW, with only three breeding pairs remaining along the Weser River in 1991. Since then, their numbers have surged, particularly in the Minden-Lübbecke district, where 190 pairs nested in Petershagen alone last year. The Wesel district follows with 114 breeding pairs, while the Lippe river floodplains remain a vital habitat for the birds.
Over 95% of Germany's white storks now take the western migration route, a shorter and safer journey than the traditional eastern path. Many no longer fly to Africa at all, instead overwintering in southern Europe—especially Spain, Portugal, and southern France. Their numbers there have grown from almost zero in the 1980s to over 10,000 by 2020, helped by milder winters, food from landfills, and reduced long-distance travel.
Their diet has also changed. Once reliant on frogs, storks now eat earthworms, grubs, and field mice. Property owners setting up nesting aids are advised to choose spots with enough food nearby. However, avian flu has hit white storks in Spain hard, though the full impact won't be clear until more return to their breeding sites.
Climate change brings mixed effects. Milder winters may help storks survive, but prolonged summer droughts could threaten their food sources and nesting success.
The return of white storks to NRW highlights their remarkable recovery in recent decades. With record breeding numbers and shifting migration patterns, the species continues to adapt. Yet challenges like avian flu and drought mean their long-term future will depend on both natural conditions and human support.
