History of the Storks’ Nest in Trzciniec
A tale of a place that has united the community around storks and the remarkable events related to their lives for many years.
Beginnings of the Nest (before 2000)
Establishment of the Nest in Trzciniec
According to locals, storks have been nesting in Trzciniec for decades – they recall seeing them in their school days.
Extraordinary “Siege” of the Village by Storks
According to a resident’s account, in August 2002, hundreds of storks gathered on poles and roofs in Trzciniec, preparing for departure.
One of the most extraordinary events remembered by some residents was a probable stork gathering (known as a “sejmik”) in Trzciniec in 2002. In late August, while preparing for their autumn migration, dozens of storks began gathering in the area. Nearly every electric pole had a stork perched on it, and some also settled on rooftops. Residents believe the birds were resting here before continuing their journey to warmer regions, taking advantage of a convenient place to regain strength before departure.
Important Events and Actions (2005–2015)
First Close Observations of the Nest from Afar
The stork nest caught the attention of a young boy – Paweł – who discovered a passion for these birds.
Decision to Modernize the Nest
There were concerns about the pole’s durability under the weight of the nest, which storks had expanded over the years. Plans were made to remove the surplus before the next season.
Over time, my curiosity grew, leading me into the world of online live streams. The first stork nest I watched was in Raszków. There I met people who shared my passion and who remain by my side to this day. This experience opened up new possibilities for me and further ignited my fascination with storks, which soon evolved into more than mere window-side observation.
In subsequent years, the Trzciniec nest grew in size, becoming more and more expansive. The storks consistently added layers of branches and materials, until eventually concerns arose about the stability of the pole on which the nest sat. In 2015, a decision was made that intervention was necessary—removing the excess structure to avoid endangering both the birds and local infrastructure.
This event further strengthened my interest in stork conservation and encouraged me to take the first steps toward a new idea, which, a few years later, turned into the stork nest monitoring project in Trzciniec.
Era of Monitoring at the Nest (2016–2020)
Installation of the First Internet Camera
In early February, the nest that storks had been building for over a decade was modernized—it was almost 1.5 meters high and could weigh up to a ton. During this “renovation,” a camera was installed. The community observing the nest named the stork pair “Przepiórek” and “Trzcinka,” referring to the name of the village.
Stork Fight Over the Nest
A stork fight over the nest was recorded—the intruder was repelled, and neither the eggs nor the birds were harmed. The footage quickly gained popularity.
A Difficult Breeding Season
This season was the first sad one since monitoring began—only one chick hatched, and it did not survive more than a few days.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
Of the two chicks that hatched, one became entangled in a piece of string. Thanks to vigilant viewers of the livestream, the State Fire Department in Lubartów carried out a successful rescue.
Removal of the Old Camera
After the season, at the request of the power company, the bracket with the old camera mounted on the pole was removed.
The nest’s modernization also presented an opportunity to implement an innovative solution—continuous online monitoring. I decided to install an internet camera, allowing anyone to observe the stork pair’s life in real time. Soon, on the specially created website “Bociany w Trzcińcu” (bociany.xeronika.pl), I launched the livestream and began posting updates and documenting events at the nest.
The first monitoring season became a chance for even greater community integration. Internet forums and residents of Trzciniec discussed names for the stork pair. Ultimately, in 2016, the storks were named “Przepiórek” (male) and “Trzcinka” (female), drawing inspiration from the village name.
In one season, the stork pair had to fend off an intruder attempting to take over the nest. It was a fierce fight, but the attacking stork was effectively repelled, and neither eggs nor birds were harmed. Footage of the encounter quickly gained popularity among viewers.
Subsequent years brought more challenging moments. One season saw only a single chick hatch, which unfortunately did not survive beyond several days. Another year, two chicks were born, but one became tangled in string brought to the nest. Thanks to the quick reaction of viewers and the intervention of Lubartów firefighters, the chick was freed.
Following one of the seasons, at the power company’s request, the camera bracket mounted on the pole had to be removed. This decision ended one phase of monitoring, but we were not ready to give up on observing the storks.
Era of Remote Monitoring (2020–2024)
Fundraiser for a New Zoom Camera
With the support of the community, funds were raised for a new zoom and night-vision camera, enabling continued observation of Przepiórek and Trzcinka.
New Observation Experiences
The first successful season in several years, and the first recorded with the new camera, brought the joy of fledglings’ first flights as well as sorrow following the loss of two chicks due to hypothermia.
The first season captured by the new camera was full of twists and unexpected events. Initially, it seemed the storks would produce offspring, but problems in the pair, a change in the female partner, and unusual behavior led to a failed breeding season. Additionally, a foreign stork entered the nest and threw out the only egg, ending any chance of rearing young that year.
After several difficult seasons, a year finally arrived in which the storks successfully raised chicks, and the young birds reached the stage of their first flights. Sadly, not all the hatchlings survived, as harsh weather conditions caused some to freeze. Nevertheless, this season brought a long-awaited success and confirmed that it is worthwhile to continue observing the stork family, documenting both their daily life and the challenges they face.
A New Chapter of History (from 2025)
Relocating the Nest to a New Place
A decision was made to relocate the nest to a new spot in order to provide storks with better conditions and adapt the nest’s location to the residents’ needs.
Installation of the camera next to the nest
The nest has been relocated to a new pole, away from power lines, and a second camera has been successfully installed just one meter from the nest, funded by the company eMKi. This will allow even better documentation of the stork pair’s life. After five years of observing the storks from a distance, we will once again be able to see every detail of their life and nesting.
This change marks another step in the monitoring project’s continuous evolution. The second camera has been installed at the nest, allowing us to observe the stork family with unprecedented detail. Maintaining the equipment and live stream incurs costs – we invite everyone who can to support the project. Even the smallest contribution helps us continue monitoring and share daily insights into the storks’ lives.
Viewers’ Memories
I first learned about the live stream from the nest in Trzciniec in 2016 thanks to local media. Since childhood, I have been interested in storks, so I eagerly peeked into their world, following their daily life in the nest. In 2024, I decided to get more involved – and soon it became my daily passion. Every day, I observed the fate of Przepiórek and Trzcinka, watched their rituals and relationships, and learned about their habits. Along the way, I met many people with similar interests. Observing storks allows us to understand their lives up close. Thanks to the live broadcast, you can see everything: from courtship and egg-laying to raising young, reactions to intruders, and fights for the nest. It is also a lesson in nature, teaching acceptance of the natural world as it is – not always perfect. You can learn what storks eat and how diverse their diet is while also seeing the extent of environmental pollution when birds bring human waste into the nest. I also started paying more attention to ecology – during walks, I collect litter more carefully, especially strings that pose a danger to storks. Watching the nest is also an opportunity to talk with other enthusiasts, share the storks’ stories, and even have some fun, like choosing names for the bird family. All of this makes checking in on the stork nest every day not only a pleasure but also a valuable source of knowledge about these remarkable birds.
I have been visiting the nest in Trzciniec for the third season. There is such peace and stability here; Przepiórek and Trzcinka are wonderful storks (not to take anything away from other stork parents, because I love them all). I have also found amazing animal-loving friends here. On the chat, I can express all my thoughts and desires about nature, and everyone understands. When the nest was moved to Paweł’s property, I felt great relief because I knew the storks were in good hands. Thank you for everything 🥰
My journey with getting to know Przepiórek and Trzcinka began when I met Paweł, and that was already two years ago. Paweł’s passion is truly beautiful. I am very happy that the storks have a safe home where they can return. Paweł has also created a wonderful community of stork enthusiasts who care, take interest, and admire the lives of Przepiórek and Trzcinka. The ability to observe storks allows us to learn more about these fascinating birds, their history, and their daily lives. Every year, observers eagerly await the arrival of young storks and later cheer them on as they learn to fly. I am proud of all the work that Paweł has put in over the years. I know that under his care, the storks have the best home in the world. I would also like to thank all the stork lovers who wholeheartedly support their fate, share their impressions, and offer kind words. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this beautiful story 😊
From the very beginning, when the camera was installed in the storks’ nest, I have been following their lives with great interest. Each season brings new emotions, joys, and sometimes difficult moments. Nature follows its own rules, which are not always easy for us to accept, but that is what makes it so fascinating. One of the hardest things to watch is when storks remove the weakest chicks from the nest. This happens when the parents have limited food resources and must ensure the survival of the stronger young. It is a natural selection process, though for us humans, it may seem cruel. Storks are incredibly intelligent birds. When the sun is scorching hot, adult birds position themselves to shade their young with their bodies, protecting them from the heat. They can also cool the chicks by pouring water collected in their beaks over them. Another interesting fact is that storks often bring various human-made objects to their nests – plastic, strings, and foil. In nature, they collect branches, grass, and mud, but near human settlements, they use whatever they find. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous for the chicks, which may get entangled in the waste. It is great that the live stream page includes a chat where enthusiasts share observations and interesting facts about storks. It is a wonderful place, full of respect for nature and knowledge that everyone can expand. Thanks to this, we can better understand these extraordinary birds and their way of life. Each new season brings new stories. Sometimes joyful, sometimes difficult, but always full of the beauty of the wild nature that we are lucky to observe.
Nine years ago, Paweł appeared on Raszków chat and invited me to his page with a view of the stork’s nest. I accepted the invitation and so far I share the joys and sorrows of our stork couple Trzcinka and Przepiórek, and each subsequent season teaches me something new about these beautiful birds. None of this would be possible without two wonderful people - Paweł and his Dad. You gentlemen are great.