Stork Yaren and His Mate Nazlı Leave Their Nest for Africa

Yaren the stork and his mate Nazlı have left their nest in Eskikaraağaç, Bursa, beginning their long migration to Africa.

The village is Turkey’s only representative in the European Stork Villages Association, and Yaren’s friendship with fisherman Adem Yılmaz has attracted millions of followers. Yaren returns during each migration and landed on Yılmaz’s boat for the 15th time on February 24. On March 10, he reunited at the nest with Nazlı, who had returned from migration.

The pair spent the summer at Lake Uluabat. Yaren often perched on Yılmaz’s fishing boat, where he was fed and became a focus of attention for the villagers. After completing the nesting season and raising their young, the two storks prepared to leave as autumn approached and temperatures began to fall.

Nature photographer and birdwatcher Alper Tüydeş waited with others to see whether they would return to the nest. Then Yılmaz called with the news: "They have gone now, hopefully until next year." Tüydeş noted that although the storks arrive separately, they leave the nest together. He also said all the storks in the village departed on the same day, giving the village a sad start to September.

The birds will fly south for days, sleeping on branches and rooftops while watching distant city lights at night, before continuing over cities, rivers and lakes toward Africa. They are expected to return in February.

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They have gone now, hopefully until next year.