2020

LVM Environmental Expert Builds a Nest for the Only White Stork Couple in Madona

Responding to a request for help of residents of Madona, Uģis Bergmanis, Senior Environmental Expert at JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), in cooperation with municipal representatives, built a new nest for a white stork couple that persistently tried to build their home on chimneys of local residents.

“Last autumn, a power line with tree poles was dismantled in Madona. The poles were rotten, unstable and had become dangerous to people, therefore a new solution was sought and the electric cables were buried underground. White storks had built a nest on one of the dangerous poles – the only stork's nest in Madona. With storks returning to the same place for years to make their nests, this spring was no exception. When the stork couple returned to their usual place, a chimney of a house was chosen as their new nesting site, and they started bringing branches and other building materials for their new home. When the construction of the nest on one of the chimneys was disturbed, they persistently began to settle on another chimney. Therefore, local residents turned for advice and help on how not to lose the heat source of their homes,” tells Uģis Bergmanis, LVM Senior Environmental Expert.

“Already on the second day after the call, together with Madona Municipality Manager, we inspected the site for a new nest, dug a concrete foundation for a pole on a municipal land plot, prepared the pole and the necessary materials for the construction of the nest. On the morning of the following day, we made a nest platform and set up the pole with a hoist, stacked branches and moss in the nest and the nest was ready! I have built a nest for a black stork before; this is the first nest for a white stork that I have created,” says LVM Environmental Expert.

However, for the next two days, the storks kept inhabiting chimneys. Therefore, a chimney sweep, following advice of the bird expert, installed stakes on the chimneys with tapes blowing in wind in order to repel the storks.

“On the third day, the storks finally surrendered – and they are now happily inhabiting the nest specially designed and made for them,” says Uģis Bergmanis.