70 per cent of white storks have found a cheat code to migration: The garbage landfills of Spain
White storks in their nest
In what can be described as a bizarre event, hundreds of migratory white storks bound for Africa in the winter months, have dropped anchor in the garbage landfills of Spain and settled there for good. It is being reported that the long-legged birds have figured out the cheat code for migration.
Earlier, these birds used to take the long, arduous journey from Europe to Africa through the dangerous Strait of Gibraltar, where strong winds, often caused problems and led to the death of many birds.
Read More:Thousands of migratory birds killed by strong winds over Europe
Storks gets acclimatized to the abundance of food and warm climate
The migration was necessitated as the birds needed a warmer climate and an abundance of food. However, the garbage dumps in Spain offer a buffet of eating options for the birds. Moreover, the warm climate in most of the dumps allows the storks to construct their nests nearby.
It is estimated that a single landfill in Spain receives 200 tonnes to 300 tonnes of food waste per day. The storks quickly pounce upon the fresh batch and receive their fill for the day.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
What started as an aberration has now turned into a phenomenon as over 70 per cent of storks have stopped with the migration.According to a 2020 survey, the population of white storks in Spain stood at 36,217; meaning, more and more storks were starting to permanently settle in the European country.
Read More:Migratory birds flock to Pakistan as lockdown keeps poachers at bay
While it may be a good news for the storks, who do not have to risk their lives for food and warmth, the change in migratory patterns is a cause of concern for humans. With Europe facing one of its worst summer crises as sweltering heatwaves mercilessly brush the continent, more and more species will be looking to curb their natural instincts.
The change in migratory pattern is a direct result of the human activities on the planet that has raised the global temperatures.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: