White storks spotted in Castione (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• About 50 white storks sighted in Castione on 10 August 2026.
• The birds stopped on the roofs of the buildings during the migration.
• Ficedula confirms that the European population is constantly growing.

• What: Sighting of a flock of white storks
• When: August 10, 2026
• Where: Castione, Ticino
• Who: Ficedula Association
• Estimated number: Approximately 50 specimens

On Monday, August 10, 2026, the skies and rooftops of Castione were the protagonists of a natural event that captured the attention of many residents. A large group of white storks, estimated at at least fifty specimens, chose to stop on the buildings of the locality of Ticino during their migratory journey. The testimonies, which came in the form of photographs and videos, document the prolonged presence of birds, which found refuge on the roofs of local buildings before continuing their journey south.

Analysis of the migration phenomenon

Roberto Lardelli, president of Ficedula, the association for the study and conservation of birds in Italian Switzerland, explained that this sighting should not be too surprising. The current period coincides with the autumn migration phase, during which storks move towards Africa. Thanks to the favorable weather conditions, these great sailors take advantage of the ascending thermal currents to cross the Alps without an effort

Operational details

The increase in the presence of storks in Switzerland is the result of a positive trend observed throughout Europe, supported both by natural factors and by targeted reintroduction campaigns launched as early as the 1950s. In 2026, national statistics indicate a population of about 1,300 nesting pairs in Swiss territory, a considerable increase compared to only 175 pairs recorded in 2000. This recovery, considered a real rebirth after the extinction of the species in the country in the middle of the last century, was possible thanks to strict environmental protection measures.

Prospects for nesting in Ticino

Despite the abundance of sightings, Ticino is not yet classified as a regular nesting area for the white stork. However, experts from the Ficedula association note encouraging signs that suggest a future change in this regard. The populations residing in the nearby Po Valley are experiencing a phase of demographic expansion; this suggests that, both due to pushes from the north and the south, the species could soon settle permanently in the canton as well. There are already signs of a constant presence in the area of the Magadino Plan, a territory that lends itself particularly well to hosting nests thanks to its geographical conformation. The possibility that a stork decides to nest in Ticino is no longer a remote hypothesis, but a concrete probability

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Key points

The collaboration between citizens and ornithologists is the fundamental pillar for effective wildlife monitoring in Switzerland. Ficedula constantly emphasizes the importance of reporting significant sightings, as only through the accumulation of accurate data and their correct location is it possible to draw a dynamic picture of the health status of species. For those who want to actively contribute to scientific research, there are accessible and easy-to-use digital tools aimed at promoting real-time information collection.

Source: rsi.ch