European Stork Village Rühstädt

The little village Rühstädt near the Elbe is all about the stork. No wonder given that these impressive animals take up their quarters here amid the biosphere reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe-Brandenburg from April until August. This record is unique in Europe and earned this place the title “European Stork Village”. Before the birds' arrival in spring, the nests are cleaned up and secured. Some roofs even hold several nests.

Most storks return from their Western quarters at the start of April and start breeding right away. Whoever pays a visit to the village starting mid-May, can witness a very special spectatcle. The parents return to their nests after searching for food for their youngs to feed them. This scene is accompanied by loud clattering that echoes through the otherwise and usually quiet village. Boards with the names and breeding statistics are placed under each nest. In August, both young and old storks prepare for their departure South. During this time especially many storks can be seen in the Elbe wetlands.

The village and its storks can not only be explored on your own, but also with expert guidance.

• Wednesdays at 2 p.m.: “round tour through the stork lands” (“Rundgang durchs Storchenland”) by the NABU visitors' centre Rühstädt (adults: 5,50 €; children from six upwards: 2 €; families: 10 €)
• Fridays at 2 p.m.: guided stork theme tour with the rangers of the Naturwacht Rühstädt (donations are welcome)

Treffpunkt Adebar

Loud clattering accompanies travellers on this tour through the biosphere reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe-Brandenburg. The Prignitz belongs to one of the regions with the highest stork population after all. On the wet plains along the Elbe the storks find plenty of food. As they majesticly sail through the air, the birds point you to the observation spots by the Elbe and at the mouth of the Havel between the villages Abbendorf aand Gnevsdorf. People have their noses far up in the air in Rühstädt—watching storks in about thirty nests.

After a thorough stroll through Rühstädt you don't get around visiting the stork exhibition at the visitors' centre. Everything you need to know about “globetrotter Adebar”, its relatives from all over the world, its favourite food, and information about its migration you can learn here. A special highlight is the camera on the roof of the building looking directly into the nest of one of the stork pairs. Don't be said if they're not at home while you're watching—you still can watch little sequences on film about the lives of storks and learn a lot about their nesting behaviour. Additionally, NABU offers guided tours for families, groups, or single persons, both on foot and by bike.