A real battle for the nest unfolded in the Poltava region among the storks: the famous birds Hrytsyk and Odarka have returned and displaced a new couple that settled there a few days ago. The conflict ended with the victory of the "old owners". This was reported by researcher Ira Sarazhynska.
The incident occurred in the Pyriatyn National Nature Park, where the nest previously belonged to Odarka and Hrytsyk. The female returned on April 5 and quickly displaced the young stork couple — Kvitka and Lel.
Storks in the Poltava Region: How the Fight for the Nest Began
According to researcher Ira Sarazhynska, the new couple formed only on April 2, but could not hold on. The main events unfolded as follows:
Odarka returned to the nest and immediately entered into a conflict
young Kvitka could not withstand the confrontation and left the spot
the male Lel tried to bring back his partner but unsuccessfully.
Soon a new couple formed in the nest — Odarka stayed with Lel, while Kvitka moved to another nest.
Hrytsyk and Odarka: How the Confrontation Ended
The situation changed on April 6, when Hrytsyk returned to the nest. The male engaged in a fight with Lel and defeated him, regaining control over the home.
Key facts after the clash:
Hrytsyk expelled Lel from the nest
Odarka stayed with her previous partner
Lel got a chance to return to Kvitka.
The researcher notes that such behavior is natural: storks actively protect their nests, especially if they have raised chicks there before.
Odarka has previously raised offspring in this location: 5 chicks in 2023, 3 in 2024, and 4 in 2025.
Earlier, the nest was temporarily occupied by Lel and Kvitka, who behaved like a formed pair, but the return of the "owners" changed the situation.
It is worth noting that the company DTEK Dnipro Electric Networks continues to equip electrical poles with special platforms for stork nests. This year, 10 new nests have been installed for these birds, which is part of a large-scale program aimed at ensuring the safety of storks and their comfortable nesting.