Lorraine Williamson
A towering stork nest in the Arlanza region of Burgos, between Lerma and Quintanilla del Agua, has gone viral after footage circulated widely on social media. Built on top of an old brick water-pumping tower, the enormous structure now poses serious concerns over public safety and wildlife preservation.
The nest, estimated to weigh up to 1,000 kilos, is composed of three layers built over time. The tower itself, already weakened by age and erosion, began to lean in 2017—just two years after local farmer Nicolás Serna bought the land.
Farmer’s cable prevents collapse
After noticing the tower’s instability, Serna contacted Lerma’s local council. Together, they determined that the underground structure of the irrigation well was deteriorating. In a temporary measure, Serna attached a tension cable to keep the structure upright. Concrete reservoirs were later added for extra support.
Still, the tower continues to lean, raising doubts about how long it can withstand the weight of the growing nest. The structure is made of old brickwork with no foundation designed for such a load.
Viral attention raises safety fears
Social media has transformed the site into a minor tourist attraction. Passersby stop for photos, and some children have even attempted to climb the unstable tower. Serna warns that the situation is dangerous and fears someone could get hurt.
Quintanilla del Agua’s mayor, Raúl Izquierdo, acknowledged that stork nests across the region are growing larger each year. While he recognises their tourism potential, he emphasised the need for safety and sustainable preservation.
Climate change alters stork behaviour
According to Serna, climate change is affecting the storks’ nesting habits. This year, the birds began laying eggs nearly a month earlier than usual—starting in early April rather than late spring.
Food scarcity is also an issue. Heavy rainfall has raised the water level of the nearby Arlanza River, making it difficult for storks to catch frogs and fish. Instead, they rely on land-based sources like worms and larvae.
Experts recommend safer nesting solutions
Blas Molina, a biologist with SEO/BirdLife, says nests like this one evolve gradually but can eventually become hazardous. He recommends installing artificial platforms to support the nests and regularly removing excess material outside nesting season.
Similar problems are already affecting churches and older buildings, where heavy nests damage historic structures. Without intervention, such nesting sites may disappear.
Not all storks fly south
Although many young storks migrate to Africa’s Sahel region between July and October, some adult birds now stay in Spain year-round. They tend to settle near wetlands, landfills, and agricultural zones in the south-west.
The most recent SEO/BirdLife figures estimate that Spain hosts around 42,000 breeding pairs of white storks. As their numbers grow, so too do the challenges of coexisting with this emblematic species.
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