Stork Nest at St. Gallus Church in Kirchzarten — Live Webcam
History of the White Stork Nest in Kirchzarten
The small town of Kirchzarten, nestled in the green meadows of the Dreisamtal valley in southwestern Germany, has become a place where the lives of wild birds unfold before thousands of observers. It all began with a pair of white storks that chose the roof of a church tower for their nest. This was no random choice — a tall structure with a good view of the surrounding meadows is ideal for these large birds, which need to control the territory around their nest.
In 2023, a webcam was installed at the nest, and since then anyone can watch the lives of the storks live. The broadcast quickly gained an audience — people from all over the world tune in to see how the adult birds care for their offspring, how the chicks make their first wing flaps and prepare for independent life.
The tradition of naming the chicks was not accidental. When three chicks appeared in the nest, they were named Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter — in honor of the planets of the Solar System. These names stuck with the birds and became part of local history, and webcam observers now know each chick "by sight."
St. Gallus Church — Home for the Storks
St. Gallus Church (St. Gallus Kirche) is not just an architectural landmark of Kirchzarten. It is a parish church for the entire Dreisamtal district, with a long history. Its 32-meter tower has become an ideal nesting site for white storks. It turned out that the building's architecture was incredibly convenient for the birds: the flat roof of the tower provides enough space for building a massive nest, and the height ensures safety from ground predators.
The stork nest is an impressive structure. Built from dry branches and sticks of various diameters, it weighs several hundredweight and gets bigger every year. Storks return to the same nest season after season, building it up and repairing it. The webcam clearly shows how adult birds bring new branches and line the nest with soft material before laying eggs.
Interestingly, the proximity to the church causes no inconvenience to either the birds or the parishioners. The storks are accustomed to human presence, and the residents of Kirchzarten are proud of their feathered neighbors. The nest has become an integral part of the town's identity and its calling card.
Chicks Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter: Life in the Nest
In 2024, three chicks hatched in the nest at St. Gallus Church, named Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter. Watching them grow via webcam is a fascinating activity. In the first weeks of life, the chicks are almost motionless, only occasionally raising their heads when their parents bring food. But with each passing day, they become more and more active.
A few weeks after hatching, the chicks begin to stand on their feet and flap their wings, training their muscles for future flights. During this period, you can observe how they compete for food, how the parents take turns feeding each of the three chicks. The camera in Kirchzarten allows you to see these moments in the finest details — from the coloration of the plumage to the characteristic poses the birds assume.
Observing the nest in real time reveals previously unknown aspects of stork life. The webcam captures the egg-laying process, the incubation period, the hatching moment, and the subsequent growth of the chicks. For ornithologists and bird enthusiasts, this is unique material that allows studying the behavior of white storks without interfering with their natural habitat.
Why Storks Chose the Dreisamtal
Kirchzarten is located in the Dreisamtal, about 10 kilometers east of Freiburg im Breisgau. This region has ideal conditions for white storks: extensive meadows providing an abundance of food, proximity to water, and the absence of large predators. Storks feed on frogs, mice, insects, and other small animals, which are plentiful in the meadows of the Dreisamtal.
In the Breisgau region, where Kirchzarten is located, there are about 270 white stork nests. All of them are maintained by the public organization "Weißstorch Breisgau e.V.," which monitors the condition of the nests, provides veterinary care when necessary, and keeps records of the population. Such attention to storks has made Breisgau one of the regions with the highest density of white stork nesting in Europe.
In recent years, an interesting trend has been observed: some storks do not fly to Africa for the winter but remain in the region. The abundance of food in the Dreisamtal meadows and mild winters allow them to find enough sustenance even in the cold months. This is a relatively new phenomenon that is being actively studied by ornithologists.
Seasonal Life of Storks: From Arrival to Migration
The life of white storks in Kirchzarten follows natural rhythms. In spring, the adult birds return from their wintering grounds and begin repairing the nest. The webcam allows you to observe this process in detail: how the pair of storks greets each other after separation, how they peck and arrange branches, strengthening the structure.
After egg-laying, the incubation period begins, which lasts about 33 days. During this time, both parents take turns sitting on the eggs while the other goes in search of food. When the chicks hatch, the burden on the parents increases many times over — they need to feed three hungry mouths that grow at an incredible rate.
By the end of summer, the young storks take to the air for the first time. This is an exciting sight that can be seen on the webcam: uncertain wing flaps, short flights, and finally, the first independent flight. After this, preparation for migration begins — the storks gain weight and gather in flocks for the journey to warmer lands.
Observing Storks in Real Time
The webcam at the stork nest in Kirchzarten is a window into the wild, accessible to everyone. Unlike documentaries that show edited and selected footage, the live broadcast offers a chance to see the real, unposed life of birds. There is no script here — only nature in its natural flow.
The camera is positioned so that the frame captures not only the nest but also the panorama of Kirchzarten. In the background, you can see residential houses with characteristic red tiled roofs, green areas, and in the distance — the hills and mountains of the Black Forest. On the left, you can see an area resembling a cemetery with paths and fences. This landscape creates a sense of presence — as if you are standing on the tower of St. Gallus Church and looking down at the town from above.
For birdwatchers and ornithology enthusiasts, the webcam in Kirchzarten is a valuable resource. You can observe the birds' behavior at different times of the day, note changes in their activity, and capture interesting moments. Many users return to the broadcast again and again, following the fate of Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter.
What You Can See on the Camera
The camera is aimed at the white stork nest, located on an elevation with a panoramic view of the town of Kirchzarten. In the foreground is a large nest built from dry branches and sticks. In the nest are two adult white storks: one stands with wings spread, showing the characteristic black flight feathers at the tips, the other sits nearby. Nearby you can see the chicks — young storks that have not yet acquired the full plumage of adult birds.
In the background, the urban landscape of Kirchzarten opens up: residential houses with red tiled roofs, trees, green areas. In the distance, hills and mountains are visible. On the left, you can see an area with paths and a fence, resembling a cemetery. The panorama gives a complete picture of the scale and character of the area where these amazing birds live.
The online camera operates live, allowing you to observe the life of storks in real time. Each visit to the broadcast can bring something new — whether it's feeding the chicks, training flights, or simply the adult birds resting peacefully on the nest. This is a unique opportunity to touch the world of wildlife without leaving home.
