Fascinating. I didn’t realise wild storks had been extinct in the UK for centuries – there are loads of them around us here in NL.
In particular, there is a large flock in The Hague & strangely enough, they don’t migrate in winter. 1/ theguardian.com/environment/20…
In particular, there is a large flock in The Hague & strangely enough, they don’t migrate in winter. 1/ theguardian.com/environment/20…
The reason is that storks were domesticated here in the Middle Ages & helped clean away fish remains at the fish market in the Binnenhof. So their ancestors stay here in the winter, instead of migrating to Africa. They’ve been on the coat of arms of Den Haag since 1541. 2/ 
There is a large flock in the north side of the The Hague & a lady calls them down off their nests atop the apartment buildings to feed them once a day – an impressive sight. I posted a movie of it, but can’t find it now. 3/
Oops, here it is: amazing to me still. 4/
So, yes, storks – a favourite part about living here in The Netherlands. 5/5
