Nature Conservation; The White Stork Counts on Us!

Information for stork rental providers in the districts of AN, ERH, FÜ, NEA, and WUG, as well as the cities of Ansbach, Erlangen, and Fürth.

When the familiar clattering sounds above the rooftops ring out in the spring, the white stork has returned. For many homeowners, it is an honor to have the “Adebar” as a lodger. But a nest on one’s own roof ridge is not only a beautiful sight—it also comes with responsibilities and legal requirements.

The stork population today: a Franconian success story

As recently as the 1980s, the white stork had nearly disappeared from Middle Franconia, even though the birds find ideal conditions in the region’s water-rich floodplain landscape. Thanks to targeted species conservation programs by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment, nature conservation organizations, and the tireless efforts of volunteer conservationists, the tide has turned. Today, the Middle Franconia administrative district is recording record numbers.

The General Administrative Order: Legal Certainty for People and Animals

To reconcile the protection of the animals with the interests of property owners, specific legal regulations apply (based on the EU Birds Directive, the Federal Species Protection Ordinance, the Federal Nature Conservation Act, and regional ordinances). By law, a stork’s nest may not be destroyed or removed—not even when the storks are in the south for the winter. It is considered a permanent habitat.

When the nest becomes a nuisance: You’re not alone

Unfortunately, storks sometimes build new nests in unsuitable locations that must be removed for technical reasons, in the interest of human health, or for compelling reasons of public interest. This requires a permit under species protection law from the Higher Nature Conservation Authority of the Government of Middle Franconia.

Even if your roof needs to be renovated or the weight of the nest is compromising the structural integrity of the building, you must not take matters into your own hands.

However, the general ruling stipulates that in the districts of AN, ERH, FÜ, NEA, and WUG, as well as in the independent cities of Ansbach, Fürth, and Erlangen, interventions are permitted under certain conditions.

Exceptions Before Egg-Laying

To expedite the processing of frequently recurring permit cases, the Government of Middle Franconia has issued a general ruling. Only the removal of newly built white stork nests on

• active chimneys
• radio masts
• Power line poles
• overhead line poles for
• rail transit

without prior authorization, but only if egg-laying has not yet occurred. Once egg-laying has taken place, removal may only occur from October 1 through December 31 of the current year. Nests may only be removed by authorized persons (e.g., homeowners, radio tower operators) and their representatives. Prompt removal of nests from unsuitable locations also helps the storks find another suitable site for their nest in time.

Immediately after removal

To prevent the storks from re-establishing a nest, appropriate deterrent measures—such as installing a steep, pointed metal roof—must be implemented. In addition, the Higher Nature Conservation Authority of the Government of Middle Franconia must be notified immediately in writing at artenschutz@reg-mfr.bayern.de regarding the location and time of removal, as well as the deterrent measure taken, so that the legality of the nest removal can be verified if necessary.

Further Information

Click here for the flyer, including the checklist for nest removal applications.

The full text of the general ruling can be found on the website of the Government of Middle Franconia: regierung.mittelfranken.bayern.de under “Nature Conservation Publications.”