The warm autumns of recent years have delayed the migration of birds. In early November, you can still see birds in the fields that find food and have not yet flown south.
Bird ecologist Marko Mägi says that warm weather makes birds lazier. Birds don't want to leave too early and expend energy. Mägi adds that, for example, white storks should have already flown away, but they can still be seen in Estonia.
White storks are not leaving because they have enough food. Water bodies are ice-free, and the birds have fish. In the fields, they can also catch mice.
Virge Võsujalg, a member of the Estonian Wildlife Society, says that the fields are full of cranes. The cranes have not gone anywhere yet. This shows that they have enough food.
The Wildlife Society receives the most reports about white storks that need help. Currently, there are five white storks in Estonia that are not flying south. The birds are injured or people have already started feeding them.
Three birds are spending the winter in Avinurme, Jõgevamaa. Bird ecologist Mägi believes that if the weather gets colder, many migratory birds will still fly south. However, some birds don't understand what's happening and stay here.
Pille Alama-Pajur, a volunteer with the Wildlife Society, notes that people should be careful when feeding birds. Birds must manage on their own and understand that they need to fly south.
Mägi adds that some birds don't fully understand what's happening. They stay here and may become successful breeders if the winter is warm.