Storrington becomes UK's first European stork village

Storrington in West Sussex has been named the UK’s first European stork village, joining the European Stork Villages Network. This recognition comes as white storks, once extinct in Britain, thrive in the area, particularly at the nearby Knepp estate. The stork population has rebounded significantly, with a record 53 chicks fledging from wild nests in 2024. The Knepp estate's rewilding efforts have created an ideal habitat for the birds, rich in food sources. The initiative to reintroduce white storks began in 2016, involving several organizations. The first successful nesting of free-flying pairs occurred in 2020, and the colony now migrates to Morocco for winter before returning to Sussex.