White stork

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 5828 pairs (2007: 4 956 – 5 672 pairs)

Distribution pattern

Widespread breeding synanthropic species. The white stork breeds almost all over the country, except for the dense forests and places with an altitude of over 1 270 m. The species is the most numerous and with the highest density (29 – 61 pairs per 100 km2) in the Sofia Field and the Samokov Plain; in the valleys of the Maritsa River and the neighbouring hilly areas with many artificial water bodies; the lower reaches of the rivers Iskar, Struma and Tundzha; in places along the Danube River and around the Burgas lakes. Most occupied nests (4841, 83%) are located between 0 m and 400 m above sea level. Dobrudzha is among the places where the species is almost absent despite the appropriate altitude, probably due to the lack of water bodies and a suitable forage habitat.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: The Seventh International White Stork Census (2014-2015) showed an increase in the population of the species in Bulgaria compared to the 2004-2005 Census. The number of breeding pairs has increased with 1 007 (21%). In addition to the registered 5 828 breeding pairs, 999 unoccupied nests have been identified. The data also shows significant regional differences. With some exceptions, such as the Pleven district, the white stork is declining in number or stable in most districts in Northern Bulgaria. There is a serious increase in the number of breeding pairs in Southern Bulgaria, especially in the districts of Plovdiv, Haskovo, Sofia, Kardzhali and Blagoevgrad.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 508 pairs (9% of the population). The highest numbers have been registered in the Special Protection Areas “Palakaria” (178 pairs), “Sakar” (61 pairs), “Most Arda” (33 pairs), “Kocherinovo” (27 pairs), and “Bakarlaka” (21 pairs).

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds almost entirely in towns, villages, and industrial zones near wet areas or in various types of wetlands. Some of the nests (about 9% of the occupied ones) are found outside settlements, most often on single or groups of trees, or on anthropogenic constructions within agricultural land and artificial landscapes.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Threats

Burning of nests and death by electrocution, electric shocks during rest and migration, collisions with overhead power lines and wind power generators, drainage of wetlands, disturbance, intensification in agriculture, poaching. Deterioration of the food habitat due to drainage of wet meadows.

Svilen Chesmedjiev, Stoycho Stoychev