Estonian Black Storks Migration 2024/25

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

Alvar and Nurme continue their journey together, even closer than yesterday, the flight routes are close to identical. Kerli has also decided to move on. Not much movement or no news from the others.

Birdmap Overview – September 30
Autumn migration 2024 on Birdmap shows routes and distances flown as of August 15

ALVAR
Previous data: 28.09.2024; Distance: 1948 km (+144 km); Alvar was near Dobrogea Nouă, Moldova, together with Nurme
New data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2036 km (+88 km); Alvar was near Ciutești, Moldova, still together with Nurme

KERGU
Previous data: 24.09.2024; Distance: 6623 km (no comparison to last data because the phantom flight has been removed); Kergu was in the middle of nowhere southeast of Lake Nasser, Egypt near the Sudanese border
no new data

KERLI
Previous data: 28.09.2024; Distance: 3639 km (It seems like Kerli’s total flight distance has been corrected downwards?); Kerli was near Sekretarka, Ukraine
New data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 3891 km (+152 km); Kerli was near Novoselivka, Ukraine

KUREMARI
Previous data: 28.09.2024; Distance: 4369 km (+3 km); still the same area, but from the middle of a ; Kuremari was near Ma’oz Haim, Israel
New data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 4371 km (+2 km); still the same area

NURME
Previous data: 28.09.2024; Distance: 2210 km (+147 km); Nurme was near Dobrogea Nouă, Moldova, together with Alvar
New data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2299 km (+89 km); Nurme was near Ciutești, Moldova, still together with Alvar

TIMMU
Previous data: 26.09.2024; Distance: 6015 km (+1611 km in 6 days); Timmu was in the middle of nowhere, east of Qina, Egypt
no new data

TRAUMA
Previous data: 27.09.2024; Distance: 3662 km (+3 km); Trauma was near Küçükkarakarlı, Türkiye
no new data

WABA
Previous data: 28.09.2024; Distance: 2522 km (+11 km); Waba was near Vydava, Ukraine
New data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2533 km (+11 km); still the same area

Alvar and Nurme together:


Today's map focussing on our storks in Ukraine and Moldova:

[Anne7]

Hi everyone!
A little spoiler for later on, but I found this to be too beautiful not to post it immediately.
Just have a look at Alvar and Nurme. They're obviously still flying together!

That’s really wonderful, Hulbi !
Amazing. Alvar and Nurme seem to enjoy each other’s company.


Hello Swenja!

[Kioko]

Is Nurme really a male?

[Hulbi Lorm]

Kioko, I was actually wondering if there may be homosexuality among storks... And after a short search it seems that indeed there is!

I found this article about a "lesbian" stork couple in the Czech Republic:
https://www.newsweek.com/same-sex-stork ... et-1801195

And an article in German about a "gay" and a "lesbian" stork couple in captivity that both raised chicks:
https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/nat ... 17524.html

So, while most probably they're just traveling companions for a while, who knows what's going on between Alvar and Nurme...

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

Since there's no Birdmap update so far, I guess I have nothing new for you today.

I'll check once more in an hour or so, but otherwise have a nice evening!

[Swenja]

.
Kuremari, October 01

2024-09-30, 16:35 UTC - 2024-10-01, 16:33 UTC

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid= ... sp=sharing

Battery: 89 %
Distance: ? km (100 km transmitter distraction)

Kuremari is still at the fish pool.

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

First of all, I need to correct all my earlier reports... In the introduction, they stated that the distance given is always measured starting at August 15. I think that's the way it was last year, and I kept the old template. But total distance this years is as of July 15, according to Birdmap. So please keep that in mind. (I will, I hope understandably, not correct all those past reports where I gave the wrong date.)

We had a late-night update yesterday, but it was too late for me. It was data from October 1, anyway, so I'll just post this two-day update now. Our buddies Alvar and Nurme have parted ways, Nurme wanted to fly further. He is now in Bulgaria, as is Kerli. Alvar is in Romania. Not much change or no new data for all others.

Birdmap Overview – October 2
Autumn migration 2024 on Birdmap shows routes and distances flown as of July 15

ALVAR
Previous data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2036 km (+88 km); Alvar was near Ciutești, Moldova
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2323 km (+287 km in 2 days); Alvar was near Gura Ialomiței, Romania

KERGU
Previous data: 24.09.2024; Distance: 6623 km (no comparison to last data because the phantom flight has been removed); Kergu was in the middle of nowhere southeast of Lake Nasser, Egypt near the Sudanese border
no new data

KERLI
Previous data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 3891 km (+152 km); Kerli was near Novoselivka, Ukraine
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 4214 km (+323 km in 2 says); Kerli was near Obrochishte, Bulgaria

KUREMARI
Previous data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 4371 km (+2 km); Kuremari was near Ma’oz Haim, Israel
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 4374 km (+3 km in 2 days); still the same area

NURME
Previous data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2299 km (+89 km); Nurme was near Ciutești, Moldova
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2827 km (+528 km in 2 days); Nurme was near Tankovo, Bulgaria

TIMMU
Previous data: 26.09.2024; Distance: 6015 km (+1611 km in 6 days); Timmu was in the middle of nowhere, east of Qina, Egypt
no new data

TRAUMA
Previous data: 27.09.2024; Distance: 3662 km (+3 km); Trauma was near Küçükkarakarlı, Türkiye
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 3753 km (+91 km in 4 days); Trauma was near Üyüklütatar, Türkiye, on the Turkish-Greek border

WABA
Previous data: 29.09.2024; Distance: 2533 km (+11 km); Waba was near Vydava, Ukraine
New data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2549 km (+16 km in 2 days); still the same area

Map of our remaining "European" storks:

[Anne7]

Hi everyone

... Our buddies Alvar and Nurme have parted ways, Nurme wanted to fly further. ...

Thank you, Hulbi.

Frankly, I am a bit worried about Alvar.
He again flew side by side with Nurme, approximately 287 km. Then they stopped to look for food and rest, in the irrigated fields south of ‘the Small Island of Brăila’ Natural Park.
It looks like they left together again, but Alvar suddenly “landed” in the fields a bit further on.
I worry because of the many power poles and lines in that area.

Hopefully I am mistaken, and Alvar felt more like eating than continuing to fly.
Hoping to see him move on soon. Fingers crossed.






https://maps.app.goo.gl/suryrXDnh2JeK8s5A

[Hulbi Lorm]

Oh my.

Birdmap already mentions a likely power line collision. It seems we lost him.

"On the morning of October 1, Alvar was left behind by a large power line, but Nurme flew on..."

I hate how dangerous we are making their lives.

[Anne7]

Oh no!



Poor Alvar.


Those power lines are killing so many precious birds.
It’s just horrible.

[Hulbi Lorm]

I had always thought of this wider area as an absolute paradise for storks. But even there, they aren't really safe. What a dangerous life they live...

[Anne7]

.
I’m so sorry, Hulbi.
You are absolutely right. We humans are making their lives extremely dangerous.


On the most recent birdmap update we can now see that Alvar is still in the same spot...

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

What can I say... It had all gone so well so far. But sadly we have lost Alvar. Nurme and Kerli have progressed to Türkiye, and Waba has continued the journey. May they all be safe, and may we not have any further sad news in this migration.

Birdmap Overview – October 3
Autumn migration 2024 on Birdmap shows routes and distances flown as of July 15

ALVAR
Final data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2323 km (+287 km in 2 days); Alvar perished near Gura Ialomiței, Romania after collision with a power line

KERGU
Last data: 24.09.2024; Distance: 6623 km; Kergu was in the middle of nowhere southeast of Lake Nasser, Egypt near the Sudanese border
(probably no more news until spring)

KERLI
Previous data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 4214 km (+323 km in 2 says); Kerli was near Obrochishte, Bulgaria
New data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 4560 km (+346 km); Kerli was northeast of Istanbul, in the Asian part of Türkiye

KUREMARI
Previous data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 4374 km (+3 km in 2 days); Kuremari was near Ma’oz Haim, Israel
New data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 4377 km (+3 km); still the same area

NURME
Previous data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2827 km (+528 km in 2 days); Nurme was near Tankovo, Bulgaria
New data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 3176 km (+349 km); Nurme was near Çamdibi, in the Asian part of Türkiye

TIMMU
Last data: 26.09.2024; Distance: 6015 km (+1611 km in 6 days); Timmu was in the middle of nowhere, east of Qina, Egypt
(probably no more news until spring)

TRAUMA
Previous data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 3753 km (+91 km in 4 days); Trauma was near Üyüklütatar, Türkiye, on the Turkish-Greek border
New data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 3765 km (+12 km); still the same area

WABA
Previous data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2549 km (+16 km in 2 days); Waba was near Vydava, Ukraine
New data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 2769 km (+220 km); Waba was near Flămânzi, Romania

[Francesca_V]

Hi everyone!

KUREMARI • 03.10.2024

From 01.10.24, 16:05 UTC until 03.20.24, 16:44 UTC

Distance: 4,19 - ...
Battery: 92 %

https://www.google.de/maps/d/edit?mid=1 ... sp=sharing

Kuremari is still enjoying th fishponds at Never Eitan in Israel. Unfortunately, there are again some fake data leading to somewhere.




2.10.


3.10. with fake

[Francesca_V]

More

The fishponds

Kuremari, Google earth

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

Birdmap Overview – October 4
Autumn migration 2024 on Birdmap shows routes and distances flown as of July 15

ALVAR
Final data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2323 km (+287 km in 2 days); Alvar perished near Gura Ialomiței, Romania after collision with a power line

KERGU
Last data: 24.09.2024; Distance: 6623 km; Kergu was in the middle of nowhere southeast of Lake Nasser, Egypt near the Sudanese border
(probably no more news until spring)

KERLI
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 4560 km (+346 km); Kerli was northeast of Istanbul, Türkiye, on the Asian side
New data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 4820 km (+260 km); Kerli was near Karakaya, Türkiye

KUREMARI
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 4377 km (+3 km); Kuremari was near Ma’oz Haim, Israel
New data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 4381 km (+4 km); still the same area

NURME
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 3176 km (+349 km); Nurme was near Çamdibi, in the Asian part of Türkiye
New data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 3493 km (+317 km); Nurme was near Ilgın, Türkiye

TIMMU
Last data: 26.09.2024; Distance: 6015 km (+1611 km in 6 days); Timmu was in the middle of nowhere, east of Qina, Egypt
(probably no more news until spring)

TRAUMA
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 3765 km (+12 km); Trauma was near Üyüklütatar, Türkiye, on the Turkish-Greek border
New data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 3771 km (+6 km) still the same area, but on the Greek side of the border

WABA
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 2769 km (+220 km); Waba was near Flămânzi, Romania
no new data

[Francesca_V]

Hi everyone!

KUREMARI • 04.10.2024

From 03.10.24, 16:05 UTC until 04.20.24, 16:44 UTC

Distance: about 2 - 4 km
Battery: 92 %

https://www.google.de/maps/d/edit?mid=1 ... sp=sharing

Kuremari is still enjoying the fish ponds at Ma'oz Haim in Israel and the banks of te River Jordan. Unfortunately, there are again some fake data leading to somewhere.

[Urmas]

Sorry for missing for long time in forum!
Want to send my interpretation of Alvars data we have. After possible perish of Alvar there was found in Romania a person who was ready to go and check the place yesterday, 4th of Oct. Some remains and transmitter was found by Catalin and his team. They explained that power lines are too far to see there the reason of perish. Poaching is possible, but they talked to local farmers and ornithologists in ringing station, who rather suggest some poisoned food... Can't believe that. But but it reminded me of last year case with Karl II, what was described by Anne in detail.
According tracking data I can propose (most probable) scenario:

Something disturbed seriously overnighting flock of Black Storks, where two tracked individuals were from Estonia (Alvar and Nurme). It happened about in sun set (between 18:34 and 19:02, Sept 30).

Because of that disturbance, Nurme flew ca 1km north and stays there in (probably) rice field for night. Morning data start in the same place. He will not return to the disturbed place, but looks around in rice field edges up to 11:05. Somewhere 11:15 Nurme starts flying south, passing (in about 500m?) the place Alvar finally stays (since 9:44, transmitter was not moving any more since 11:04).

Alvar flew only 150m from disturbed overnight place at 19:01 and there transmitter goes to sleep for night. Transmitter wakes up 7:14 about 770 meters westward (sun rise 7:02) at channel and roads between fields. Stays there up to 7:44. 7:54 Alvar is on field 820m SE direction, but 8:04 again at other channel and road along it (400m from previous location). Stays there up to 8:34. Next data 8:44 come 1,6 km southwards at the channel and road in the edge of rice field. Alvar stays there up to 9:34. Next data at 9:44 from his last location where Catalin together with his friends found remains of Alvar.

Accelerometer of transmitter of Alvar shows anomaly in transmitter position since 9:44 (Oct 1st), when it shows transmitter being on side toward earth surface. Changes in position of transmitter visible up to 11:04, but remaining day (up to 19:04, if goes sleep) it was not moving any more. Transmitter (and most probably the carcass) moved again since 10:34 next day (Oct 2nd) and often more up to finding it by Catalins team.

Unfortunately, no clear base to say the reason of perish, but it could be that during disturbance Alvar got injured (all the locations later are on ground, no one at flight). But that is pure speculation, I have no idea what really caused perish. Don't know, if White-tailed Eagles are there looking for migrating birds (like here they do and take geese and storks from flight). For that scenario the prey was left untouched too quickly after catching it... For power lines collision no any signs of walking on ground and 800 meters is too far to fall as stone?

I can't add photos in migration map, there is some error with program.

[Hulbi Lorm]

Hi everyone!

Birdmap Overview – October 5
Autumn migration 2024 on Birdmap shows routes and distances flown as of July 15

ALVAR
Final data: 1.10.2024; Distance: 2323 km (+287 km in 2 days); Alvar perished near Gura Ialomiței, Romania, cause of death uncertain (see Urmas' post)

KERGU
Last data: 24.09.2024; Distance: 6623 km; Kergu was in the middle of nowhere southeast of Lake Nasser, Egypt near the Sudanese border
(probably no more news until spring)

KERLI
Previous data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 4820 km (+260 km); Kerli was near Karakaya, Türkiye
New data: 4.10.2024; Distance: 5092 km (+272 km); Kerli was near Sürgüç, Konya Province, Türkiye

KUREMARI
Previous data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 4381 km (+4 km); Kuremari was near Ma’oz Haim, Israel
New data: 4.10.2024; Distance: 4384 km (+3 km); still the same area

NURME
Previous data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 3493 km (+317 km); Nurme was near Ilgın, Türkiye
New data: 4.10.2024; Distance: 3830 km (+337 km); Nurme was in a sparsely populated area to the northeast of Muratlı, Mersin Province, Türkiye

TIMMU
Last data: 26.09.2024; Distance: 6015 km (+1611 km in 6 days); Timmu was in the middle of nowhere, east of Qina, Egypt
(probably no more news until spring)

TRAUMA
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 3771 km (+6 km); Trauma was near Üyüklütatar, Türkiye, on the Greek side of the border
New data: 3.10.2024; Distance: 3821 km (+50 km); still the same area, but now again on the Turkish side of the border

WABA
Previous data: 2.10.2024; Distance: 2769 km (+220 km); Waba was near Flămânzi, Romania
New data: 4.10.2024; Distance: 3010 km (+241 km in 2 days); Waba was near Nămoloasa, Romania

[Francesca_V]

Hi Urmas,

Thank you very much for your detailled information.
It is so sad that one of our birds perished.
And it is so good to understand the last movements of Alvar.


I am so glad the our Nurme is still alive and moving.