White storks, absent from the UK for 600 years, have been observed nesting on an industrial estate near Guildford, Surrey, a development hailed as a "major milestone" by conservationists. The birds are part of a rewilding project initiated by the Knepp Estate in West Sussex in 2016, aiming to re-establish the migratory species in the south-east of England.
The nesting activity at the industrial site near Guildford offers hope that the storks may successfully raise chicks in the coming years. Laura Vaughan-Hirsch, manager of the White Stork Project, expressed optimism, stating, "We really want these birds to do well, and to spread and thrive." She noted that the birds are young and typically begin breeding at four years old, suggesting they are currently constructing a "practice nest."
Vaughan-Hirsch anticipates that the storks will likely migrate this winter and return next spring to attempt nesting and rearing young. This unexpected location highlights the adaptability of the birds and the potential for rewilding efforts to integrate with human-modified landscapes. The project seeks to restore the white stork's historical presence in the UK, a goal that now appears closer to fruition with this development.