First white storks born in England in 600 years shock onlookers

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for May 26

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

This is definitely something you don't see every day.

The first white storks born in England in more than 600 years have shocked bird watchers, as they've come out of their nest for the first time, British news agency SWNS reports.

The baby chicks, who live in a nest at Knee Castle near Horsham, West Sussex, were spotted poking their heads out when one of their parents returned. The birds were born as a part of the White Stork Project, which is a group of "private landowners and nature conservation organizations" working to bring the birds to South East England for the first time in several hundred years.

The first white storks born in Britain for 600 years have delighted bird watchers - by peering out of their nest for the first time. (Credit: SWNS)

ENDANGERED LEMURS ARE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AFTER NEW BIRTH

The organization is working to restore a population of 50 breeding pairs by 2030, which will be aided by the new chicks. There were five eggs in the nest as late as April, SWNS added.

A spokesman for the project told the news outlet the female is a ringed bird from the project. The male, however, does not have an identifying ring, so it's possible it could be one of approximately 20 storks that visit the country every year.

It's unclear why the storks, which are "symbolic of rebirth" according to the project, did not survive in Britain.

The baby birds were born earlier this month as a result of the White Stork Project, which is attempting to bring the breed back to Britain. (Credit: SWNS)

A number of theories suggest habitat loss, overhunting and "targeted persecution" all contributed to the decline, given it was associated with rebellion during the English Civil War.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP