Webcam: White Stork Nest in Milówka, Poland

Milówka: A Polish Village Where Storks Are Neighbors

In southern Poland, in the picturesque Silesian Voivodeship, about 18 kilometers southwest of Żywiec, lies the village of Milówka — the administrative center of the Milówka municipality. This place with a population of around 9,926 people and an area of 98.33 km² is famous not only for its fields and wooded slopes, but also for its feathered neighbors — white storks. It is here, on a brick structure, that their nest is located, which can be observed via a live webcam.

White Stork: Poland's Feathered Symbol

For Poles, the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is not just a bird, but a true national symbol that brings good luck. The arrival of these large birds in late March signals the final onset of spring after a long winter. Unlike the white eagle adorning the country's coat of arms, it is the stork that holds the hearts of locals. Poland even has a White Stork Day, and in 2003 the White Stork Museum was opened in the village of Kłopot.

Nesting Season: From Egg to First Flight

Life in the nest is a continuous cycle of care. Storks arrive in late March, build their nest, and lay eggs. Chicks hatch after a month and are completely dependent on their parents for the first few weeks. Adult birds bring them earthworms, frogs, and small fish, regurgitating food directly into the nest. Interestingly, storks also carry water in their beaks for the chicks, pouring it directly to them. By 70 days of age, young storks become fully independent and at the end of August fly off to their wintering grounds — on their own, without adults, guided only by instinct.

Landscape Beyond the Nest: Hills, Forests, and Fields

The camera overlooking the white stork nest in Milówka reveals not only the life of the birds but also the typical landscape of the Silesian Voivodeship. In the background, hilly slopes covered with forested areas alternate with open fields. To the right of the nest spreads a large deciduous tree, and in the distance, the roofs of residential houses can be seen. This natural landscape creates ideal nesting conditions — there are both open spaces for foraging and shelter nearby.

Why Did Storks Choose Milówka?

White storks are conservative birds. They return to the same nest year after year, passing it down to younger birds. In Europe, nests that are several centuries old are known. Milówka offers storks everything they need: proximity to water bodies, an abundance of fields with earthworms and frogs, and safe elevated spots for nesting. The brick structure on which the nest is built is likely a building roof or chimney — a typical location for storks, which prefer man-made structures.

Stork Watching: What You Can See on the Camera

The live webcam in Milówka operates in real time and allows you to observe the life of white storks without disturbance. In the frame is a massive nest on a brick structure, surrounded by natural landscape. During the nesting season (spring-summer), you can watch parents feed their chicks, see them grow and prepare for their first flight. At other times, the nest may be empty — storks fly to Africa for the winter. The camera is positioned so that not only the nest is visible, but also the surrounding landscape: wooded slopes, fields, and trees. In the lower left corner of the frame, there is a text overlay with broadcast information.