Bird migration influenced by weather phenomena

Extreme weather phenomena don't only affect humans, but also animals unaccustomed to them. The extreme phenomena, which are consequences of climate change, will have a significant impact on bird migration, stated ornithologist Dr. Peter Yankov from the "Poda" Nature Conservation Center within the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB). He added that strong winds, high temperatures, sudden cold waves, and rain hinder birds from flying. These conditions especially affect the flight of storks, pelicans, and birds of prey. These birds engage in passive flight, gliding by utilizing warm air currents, Yankov explained to BTA. He gave the example of recent strong winds along the Black Sea coast, which prevented the storks from flying south. The ornithologist explained that bird migration is linked to the duration of daylight. "Bird migration began at the end of July," he said. For Yankov, migration is a spectacle of nature in which the flock of birds takes on a different form. He emphasized that birds tend to avoid crossing large bodies of water and mentioned that one of the two largest migration routes in Europe - the Via Pontica - runs along the western coast of the Black Sea.

Storks, along with certain species of seagulls and terns, are among the first birds to leave Bulgaria. Most flocks of white storks are recorded above Burgas, as it is situated at the westernmost point of the Black Sea, and thus birds circumvent it. The white stork begins its flight at the end of July, and 90-95% of the entire stork population departs in August. Very few storks remain in Bulgaria until the end of September. The route from Burgas to Africa is used by German and Polish storks. Yankov added that in 2022, a satellite signal detected that a white stork from Russia also passed over Burgas.