The Huerta del Obispo has hosted the release of 20 white storks rehabilitated during the breeding campaign, with the participation of 95 schoolchildren from CEIP Cardenal Cisneros.
This Thursday morning, the Huerta del Obispo of the Archbishop's Palace in Alcalá de Henares was the setting for a new edition of the traditional white stork release. A total of 20 stork chicks, rehabilitated by the Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and its Habitat (GREFA) during the current breeding campaign, took to the skies in front of the attentive gaze of local residents and, especially, the youngest.
A Record Urban Colony in Alcalá de Henares
The mayor, Judith Piquet, accompanied by the councillors for the Environment, Vicente Pérez; Education, Lola López; and District I, Víctor Cobo, presided over the event. On this occasion, 95 schoolchildren from CEIP Cardenal Cisneros, participating in the Open Programme for Play organised by the City Council, took part. The children were able to learn closely about the work of wildlife rehabilitation and understand the biology and conservation of one of the most emblematic species of the local natural heritage.
During this season, 88 pairs of white storks have occupied the nests in the city and successfully raised a total of 104 chicks. Some of these chicks suffered falls from their nests or encountered various incidents and, after being collected by the Local Police and taken to the GREFA Wildlife Hospital for rehabilitation, have now returned to their natural environment. The data from this campaign reflect an average productivity of 1.53 chicks per pair with successful reproduction.
Historical Heritage and Biodiversity Hand in Hand
The mayor emphasised that “the release constitutes one of the most significant environmental education events of the summer and highlights the coexistence between historical heritage and urban biodiversity.” Alcalá de Henares is home to an important urban colony of white storks, which use the roofs of churches, convents, monasteries, and other historical buildings in the city for nesting and reproduction, making their presence one of the hallmarks of the Alcalá urban landscape.
For the residents of the city, seeing storks flying over the towers and bell towers is a daily sight, but the release each summer serves as a reminder that this coexistence is possible thanks to conservation efforts. Attendees, in addition to witnessing the release, were able to ask questions to GREFA technicians and better understand the risks these birds face in an urban environment.
The day concluded with the satisfaction of seeing the 20 chicks integrate into the group of storks already inhabiting the city. For those who missed it, the City Council reminds that the colony can be observed year-round at locations such as the Magistral Cathedral or the Archbishop's Palace, although the best time to see active nests is in spring.
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