First Migratory Birds Return - Search for Breeding Grounds - White storks return as Bavaria's breeding season takes flight

Spring has arrived in Bavaria, and with it, the return of migratory birds. White storks have been seen again in the region, marking the start of the breeding season. Other species are also preparing for nesting, while winter visitors begin their journey north.

The first wave of migratory birds has landed in Bavaria. Among them, white storks are the most noticeable, settling back into their familiar habitats. Meanwhile, winter visitors like bramblings and redwings are leaving for Scandinavia and Northeastern Europe.

Nest-building is already underway for some species. Songbirds typically start in April, but others, such as owls, birds of prey, and collared doves, began as early as February or March. Male birds are actively marking and defending their territories, ensuring they are ready for breeding.

Recent bird counts in Bavaria, including LBV's winter surveys, recorded over 400,000 birds across gardens. However, these focused on winter populations rather than breeding species. No exact numbers of regular breeding birds have been documented by monitoring programmes like the Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft in recent years.

The return of storks and other migratory birds signals the start of Bavaria's breeding season. Nesting activities will increase over the coming weeks, with different species following their own timelines. Winter visitors, meanwhile, continue their migration to northern breeding grounds.