Trust project results in return of white storks

White storks have returned to the region for the first time in more than 600 years, thanks to a species recovery project involving Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Three white storks have arrived at the trust’s Willington Wetlands site as part of plans to establish a healthy breeding population in the region.

Their presence marks the first step towards restoring one of Britain’s most iconic bird species to the Midlands.

The birds have taken up residence in a newly completed purpose-built enclosure, which is also home to Derbyshire’s first beavers in more than 800 years, alongside other wildlife benefiting from rewilding on site.

It is hoped the storks will attract wild birds moving through the Trent Valley and encourage settlement and breeding.

Supported by more than £300,000 from Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund, the enclosure has been specially designed to support breeding, chick development, and carefully managed soft releases into the wider landscape.

Built in consultation with Celtic Rewilding, specialists running a captive breeding facility in neighbouring Staffordshire, the predator-proof enclosure sits within a low-disturbance conservation area and has been designed to support future species recovery projects.

White storks would have been present across Derbyshire and the wider Midlands but disappeared around the 14th Century due to habitat loss and hunting.

Recent sightings have increased, including birds recorded flying over Willington Wetlands in 2024 and nearby in 2025, but none have yet stayed to breed.

Katie Last, living landscape Officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed our storks to Willington and to see them settling into their purpose-built enclosure.

“Their arrival marks an exciting step forward for the project.

“This whole project is about more than the return of an iconic bird though. It’s about reigniting people’s sense of wonder in nature and demonstrating what is possible when communities come together for wildlife.

“Their return offers a powerful opportunity to engage people in nature recovery, rewilding, and the restoration of lost species.

“Through events and volunteering, we will work closely with local communities to help people reconnect with wildlife and play an active role in the storks’ return.”