Wild white storks have hatched in the UK for the first time in 600 years

Wild white storks have hatched in the UK for what is thought to be the first time in 600 years, meaning there are hopes of reintroducing the species to the wild. 

The White Stork project announced on Saturday that observers had witnessed parents removing eggshells and regurgitating food for babies. 

Successful hatching like this, it is hoped, will be the first step towards establishing the species in the south of England again after a break of almost six centuries. 

The last chick to hatch on British soil is believed to have been born on top of Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral in 1416.

Project Officer of the initiative, Lucy Groves, said: “After waiting 33 days for these eggs to hatch it was extremely exciting to see signs that the first egg had hatched on 6 May.

“The parents have been working hard and are doing a fantastic job, especially after a failed attempt last year. These are early days for the chicks, and we will be monitoring them closely, but we have great hopes for them.”

She continued: “This is just one step towards establishing this species in the south of England. It may be a small step, but it is an exciting one.

“This stunning species has really captured people’s imagination and it has been great following the sightings of birds from the project during the period of lockdown and hearing about the joy and hope they have brought to people.”

The project, a partnership between private landowners and conservation organisations such as Cotswold Wildlife Park and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, aims to restore the population of at least 50 breeding pairs across the south of England by 2030.