First offspring in the breeding area of Überlingen on Lake Constance
Newsletter 10/06/2021
The last recorded evidence of the occurrence of the Northern Bald Ibis in Europe was at the beginning of the 17th century. No longer did the ibises return to breed on the Molasse cliffs on Lake Constance between Überlingen and Sipplingen. After its extinction in Europe, this migratory bird species also disappeared from the collective memory of the European population. For a long time, the historical accounts of the Northern Bald Ibis were thought to be stories, the ibis a fantasy creature.
Now these charismatic fantasy creatures are taking on a physical form again, they are returning to Lake Constance. This spring, 20 ibises flew back to Überlingen from their wintering grounds in Tuscany. And on June 5th, a Northern Bald Ibis chick hatched in Überlingen on Lake Constance for the first time in 400 years! More will follow (or have already followed). There are three nests in total, and we expect two to three chicks per nest.
However, this first generation of wild chicks did not hatch in the molasse cliffs, but in an artificial nesting structure built above the molasse cliffs on a land owned by the city of Überlingen. From 2022 onwards, breeding pairs will be transferred to suitable rock niches above the shore of Lake Constance in order to permanently repopulate this rock face.
Breeding is also progressing in the two other breeding areas. In Burghausen in Bavaria, 16 chicks have already hatched in 5 nests. The birds in Kuchl are a bit later there, 5 chicks have hatched in a total of 6 nests by now, more will follow.
The 32 chicks for hand-raising have fledged in the meantime, as they come from the free-flight keeping of the Rosegg Zoo and these ibises breed much earlier than their wild conspecifics. With the first free flight of last Monday, the start of flight training in Seekirchen am Wallersee was marked. This is always a particularly exciting moment for animals and humans. The birds gain their first flying experience and have to learn to orientate themselves properly. For the team, it shows how intensive the imprinting of the birds on their foster parents is. The free flight was very successful and gives hope for good proceeding of the flight training.
The Northern Bald Ibis can be observed in all breeding areas. Information can be found on our homepage www.waldrapp.eu. Requests can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A state garden show is currently taking place in Überlingen on Lake Constance where the Northern Bald Ibis project is also presented.
Photo: The Northern Bald Ibises in Überlingen are still breeding in an artificial breeding structure. From 2022, they are expected to recolonise the molasse rocks on the shores of Lake Constance. Foto Hilde Hof.
