Poles can expect an early and very cold winter, according to a leading Polish ornithologist observing the early migrations of white storks from wetlands in Poland to their wintering grounds in Africa, according to DPA. If storks begin to head south before the August 24 feast of St Bartholomew, an early and frosty winter is more than certain to follow, stork researcher Professor Leszek Jerzak told the Polish PAP news agency Friday. Jerzak notes that storks began to take off to Africa in mid-August this year, this despite the fact they enjoyed ample supplies of food this summer. This, in turn, saw a breeding boom with up to five young birds being hatched to a nest. "This is really an impressive result. Now storks hatched this year have another big challenge - the long journey south to warm lands, which unfortunately will not be successful for all," Jerzak said.
