Authorities Did Not Renew Feeding Contract: Storks Disappearing in Alcalá de Henares. In Alcalá de Henares, storks have been left without their main food supply due to an expired feeding contract. The bird population had already declined after an outbreak of avian flu. Local authorities cannot reach an agreement on funding.
A critical situation has developed in Alcalá de Henares regarding the stork population: city birds have been left without their main food source after the contract for maintaining the municipal feeding station expired nearly a month ago. According to local environmentalists, storks have been forced to search for food in the wild for over 20 days already, which has made their survival during the breeding season much more difficult.
Problems for the storks began as early as December, when an outbreak of avian flu in the region led to the death of nearly a third of the registered pairs. In spring, one of the oldest pairs lost their nest on the city clocktower: by municipal decision, the structure was dismantled due to the risk of collapse, despite the fact that there were eggs in the nest. Now, food shortages have been added to these difficulties—the city did not renew the feed supply contract, leaving the birds without support during their most vulnerable period.
Previously, for decades the storks fed at the municipal landfill, where they found insects, small rodents, and food scraps. After the landfill was closed at the end of 2019, a special feeding station was created for them: up to 40 kilograms of frozen chicks were delivered daily. However, after the contract ended, this measure was discontinued and the birds have once again become dependent on scarce natural resources.
The issue of the feeding station's fate became the main topic at the latest city council meeting. Opposition representatives proposed that the municipality take over funding if the inter-municipal association cannot ensure the continuation of its work. Authorities in Alcalá de Henares insist that responsibility lies with the Eastern Mancomunidad, currently headed by the mayor of Loeches. Despite the approval of temporary funding totaling 5,000 euros for three months, feeding has yet to resume.
Environmentalists warn: if feeding is not restored in the coming days, dozens of chicks will be at risk, which could lead to further declines in the population. According to their estimates, about 80 young storks remain in the city, and their survival directly depends on prompt action by the authorities.
The situation with the nests also remains tense. After the removal of a nest from the city hall, storks attempted to rebuild it in the same spot, but without success. Similar incidents have happened before: the birds would return and construct new nests even on deterrents installed to scare them away. The municipality explains the removal as necessary to ensure the safety of people and buildings, citing expert opinions and coordination with regional nature protection agencies. The eggs from the nest were handed over to a specialized center for incubation and eventual return of the chicks to the wild.
Alcalá de Henares is historically known as the city of storks: these birds have nested here since the 17th century, and some nests are considered older than many of the city’s buildings. However, the reduction of food sources and interference with nesting have already led to a noticeable decline in their numbers. Similar issues are being recorded in other regions of Spain, where storks are gradually disappearing from cities.
For reference: storks in Spain traditionally nest on the roofs of churches and historic buildings, and their presence is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In recent years, the number of these birds in the country has been decreasing due to urbanization, loss of natural foraging grounds, and changes in waste management systems. Interference with nesting is regulated by regional and national laws, and any work involving the nests requires approval from environmental authorities.
