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12. 03. 10. - 12:00

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12. 03. 10. - 12:00

Migratory birds forced back by harsh winter

Migratory birds that left Lake Constance in western Austria for breeding areas in the north have returned to the lake because of the long winter, according to expert Harald Jacoby.

Jacoby, a specialist in bird protection, said yesterday (Thurs): "Birds have the ability to hit the brakes and turn back."

He added that deep snow cover in northern Europe and an icy north-east wind had caused birds headed north from southern Europe and northern Africa to turn back to Lake Constance.

He noted that flying into a strong headwind would have cost the birds too much energy and they would have found nothing to eat in the frozen north.

Turning back in the face of low temperatures was part of birds’ survival strategy, he said, adding that the number of birds that had done so this year was "unusual."

Lake Constance, which has a surface area of 536 square kilometres, is a resting place and winter quarters for some 250,000 birds.

Austrian Times

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