Coexisting with Nature: Algarve Storks in Harmony

The Portuguese celebrate their Storks

Residents of the Algarve, Portugal can teach us a lot about how to live in harmony with nature. It is a delight to watch the Portuguese embrace the Stork as they arrive from their migration. Every year, they settle in their nests like the human tourists. The nests are built in villages, towns, and cities and they return to the same place every year. The birds are completely oblivious of the traffic noise and human activity, and in return the residents appear to be unmindful.

In Portugal, they are protected and it’s illegal to kill, disturb or destroy their nests. They also have the right to stay in the same nest for as long as desired. This is why there are so many abandoned brick chimneys with nests on top.

The swarms aren’t concerned about living in the middle of town and instead choose to live on mobile masts or church clocktowers. They also settle down in apartment blocks, houses, and factories. They will look down on you from their perch, while tourists take photos and the locals pass by.

Storks are mute because they have no vocal cords. However, you can easily identify them by the sound that their beaks make when they throw their heads back.

It is a great pleasure to see the animals treated so well. This is a far cry compared to the UK, where every animal and bird, whether protected or not, are killed under license in the name progress.

Portugal may be a safe haven, but hundreds, if not thousands, never return home each year. They are shot and killed as they cross the Sahara from the Near East to Southern Europe. The Mediterranean Sea is not suitable for them to fly, so they funnel and divert into thousands of flocks over countries in the east and Gibraltar on the west. Once shot for food only, it has become a popular and highly organised sport that is responsible for the deaths of many of these beautiful birds.

Silves, in the Algarve, is like a spa resort and storks outnumber human residents. During a recent trip, I couldn’t help but stop at every street corner and stare up. We could hear them clacking above us even as we sat at a pavement café. It is well worth spending some time with the Storks if you decide to visit Algarve during the spring or summer. There is no need to give up the Sangria, as you will find a nearby bar with a nest where you can contemplate what these birds went through to get to safety.