Fulltofta White Stork Enclosure in Hörby — Live Webcam
The Return of Storks to Swedish Skies
In southern Sweden, amid the plains of Skåne County, lies the small town of Hörby. But this area gained fame not because of its size, but thanks to its winged inhabitants — white storks. The live webcam at Fulltofta Enclosure opens a window into a world where nature and humans have united to save an entire species. White storks were once a common sight in Skåne, but in the mid-20th century their population collapsed. In 1954, storks disappeared from Sweden as a breeding species, and the last pair left a farm near Karups Nygård. To remedy this situation, the ambitious Storkprojektet was launched. Its goal is not simply to bring back the birds, but to restore an entire ecosystem. The white stork became a flagship species for wetland restoration, 90% of which in the region had been destroyed by drainage. The project is implemented by the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Skåne and the Ornithological Society of Skåne (now BirdLife Sweden).
Fulltofta Enclosure: Home for 25 Pairs
One of the key facilities of the project is the Fulltofta Enclosure. This is a spacious habitat where storks live in conditions as close to the wild as possible, yet under protection. The enclosure covers an area of 2,500 m², allowing birds to move freely across the grassy terrain. About 25–30 pairs of white storks nest here. The chicks raised in the enclosure do not remain in captivity forever. Every year, on the last Saturday of July, young storks are released into the wild to form a new viable population in southern Sweden. The project's global goal is to support 100 pairs of white storks in the region.
Migration and Routes of White Storks
The white stork is a classic migratory bird. The European population is divided into two parts: the eastern population migrates via the Bosporus and the Middle East, while the western population crosses the Strait of Gibraltar. Storks winter in Sub-Saharan Africa. Birds released from Fulltofta must undertake an incredible journey to preserve the species' genetic diversity and restore ancient migration routes.
Historical Landscape of Hörby and Fulltofta
The Fulltofta Stork Enclosure is located in a place with deep historical roots. Nearby stands the famous Fulltofta Church — a medieval Romanesque church built around 1160–1170. In the Middle Ages, it was an important pilgrimage site. Today, pilgrims here are ornithologists and nature lovers from around the world who come to observe storks in real time.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live camera was installed in collaboration with the Storkprojektet project, broadcasting with audio and video, showing one of the two large breeding enclosures for storks. On screen you will see a spacious aviary with grassy terrain. The area features round wooden platforms with nests made of straw and branches. Numerous white storks with characteristic black wingtips move freely around the enclosure: some sit on nests, others walk on the ground or preen their feathers. The enclosure is covered by a large protective net canopy supported by wooden poles, with reed thickets and fencing visible in the background.
