White Stork Project

Early mornings at @kneppwilding.bsky.social

Thank you to photographer, Ian Brierley, for this fantastic photo from his recent visit to Knepp! ☀️

Migration Update
Last week more of this year’s young storks crossed the Channel from Dungeness to France. Satellite tags show them south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, likely having travelled together after days along the South Coast. Our live map will be updated soon, so you can follow their journeys live!

Spectacular migration for the UK white storks this year! This stork, born at Knepp this year, is offspring of flightless parents and migrated around the Alps following a Southeastern migration route @ueaceec.bsky.social @ueaenv.bsky.social

@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

Migration update:

Two brothers, GBY9 & GBY8 "Jeff" who hatched from a ground nest at Knepp this year are in Italy!

This is the first time one of our project storks has been recorded in Italy, so we’re excited to see whether they’ll continue south to North Africa or explore a new route.

YouTube video by White Stork Project Highlights from Ania and Bartek's nest 2025

Ania & Bartek’s chicks have now fledged and things are quiet on the nest, so we have turned off the live cam for the winter. Thanks to all who tuned in, we're so pleased the pair had another successful season!

🎥Watch the highlights of the year:
youtu.be/u2zdgEj3c64?...

Species reveal: Grey heron!

Well done to those of you who guessed correctly!🪶

The chicks on the live cam nest had a visitor!

Can you identify the unexpected guest on the branch?🔍

@kneppwilding.bsky.social @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

We are so pleased to announce that with a total of 45 chicks ringed this year @kneppwilding.bsky.social, most have taken their first flights!

Here is the moment the first live cam chick fledged!

Now, this year's chicks are honing their flying skills and preparing to migrate soon.

We are thrilled to have satellite tagged some of the white stork chicks hatched at @kneppwilding.bsky.social this year! Huge thanks to Aldina for your skills and expertise, this will provide us with useful data, helping us to understand their migration and movements.

The live cam chicks at @kneppwilding.bsky.social are getting ready to fledge– flapping, stretching, and testing their wings!

The oldest is 60 days old, so fledging could happen any moment now.

Their first flight is always a thrill so tune in live on YouTube and don't miss it! 🎥

@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

12 healthy chicks are growing in 4 ground nests at Knepp!

Their non-flying parents were rescued from injuries in the wild & now thrive in a safe pen where their young can fly free. Last year’s chicks flew to Morocco—proof of wild instinct.

Huge thanks to Kevin for managing our camera traps!

Exciting times, as our ground nesting white stork eggs are starting to hatch!

These birds were originally rescued from injuries in the wild by Warsaw Zoo
& form our non-flying stork population @kneppwilding.bsky.social

Last year, 9 chicks hatched on the ground & this years are just arriving!

For the first time, a pair of blue tits are nesting at the base of Ania and Bartek’s nest at @kneppwilding.bsky.social!

White stork nests are enormous and can become mini ecosystems, hosting a range of small bird species. Providing shelter and an insect-rich environment!

📷 Volunteer Colette

White storks’ revival: what happens when we stop asking ‘why’ and start asking ‘why not’ - Knepp Matt Phelps | Lead Ecologist This spring, a piece of history is being written in Sussex as we witness another successful breeding season for white storks, thanks to the efforts of the White Stork Proj...

How the white storks came back... and why it matters...

Read the blog by our lead ecologist Matt Phelps, @mostlyscarce.bsky.social

@whitestorkproject.bsky.social @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

knepp.co.uk/2025/05/whit...

Live cam update!

The chicks are nearly a month old and they can be left for short periods of time.

Here one of the parents brings some dung back to the nest, then delivers breakfast for the chicks.

Watch live on our YouTube channel!
@kneppwilding.bsky.social

@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@euronatur.bsky.social

Spirits soared at the White Stork and Nature Revival Festival!

Thank you to everyone who came and filled the day with energy, optimism and connection. Moments like these show what’s possible when we come together for wildlife!

#StorkNatureFest2025 #Wildlifecelebration

This Bank Holiday crowds flocked to Storrington to celebrate the return of white storks to our skies and the growing movement for community-led nature recovery!

We marked a proud milestone: Knepp and Storrington becoming the UK’s members of the European Stork Village Network.

Live cam chick update!

The 3 chicks are developing well, eating lots and moving around more. They're growing fast and mastering their bill clatter!

Ania and Bartek have been working hard to keep them well-fed and protected.

Keep up to date with the livestream action on our YouTube🎥

@kneppwilding.bsky.social @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

Huge thanks for your incredible support, we raised a whopping £77,070 in @biggiveorg #GreenMatchFund! 💚

This provides satellite tagging, hosts school visits, unlocks research & maintains livestreaming for the Project. You've made a real impact — thank you!

#WhiteStorkProject #Rewilding

The White Stork Festival Concert - Bernardi Music Group Experience an enchanting evening of music celebrating the return of white storks to the UK. Join us for a very special programme inspired by our feathered friends as we enjoy […]

White Stork and Nature Revival Festival- 5th May 2025!

We are thrilled to host the Bernardi Music Group in the evening concert. Don't miss out on the magical music inspired by rewilding at @kneppwilding.bsky.social and more bird inspired pieces!

Tickets here: bernardimusicgroup.com/event/the-wh...

New podcast episode!

Penny Green meets with Laura Vaughan-Hirsch of the @whitestorkproject.bsky.social and they talk all things storks - including about the 1st Storrington White Stork and Nature Revival Festival.

Listen: knepp.co.uk/wildland-pod...

📷 Gary Franklin

@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

The campaign is now live!

From now until 29 April, your donation to the White Stork Project will be doubled via @biggiveorg.

Help us reach £25k to unlock £50k for education, livestreams & stork tracking.

Donate via the link in bio.

#GreenMatchFund #WhiteStorkProject #EarthDay

@kneppwilding.bsky.social

@kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

Double your impact!

From 22–29 April, every donation to the White Stork Project will be matched by @biggive.bsky.social #GreenMatchFund.

Help us reach £25k to unlock £50k for conservation, education, youth engagement & stork tracking!

Find out more: tinyurl.com/45hx6478

YouTube video by Kneppflix Storks in blackthorn blossom

It's a spectacular spring for blackthorn at Knepp. See this footage of our snorks nesting amidst it.

@whitestorkproject.bsky.social @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I0w...