UKU (2019) - adult male, Viljandi county

[marika.solo]

AI GeminiChat:

Migration Update: Regional Weather Block

Region: From the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) through Bulgaria and Romania.

Current Situation (March 28, 2026):
GPS data shows that many adult storks have stopped in the same locations where they arrived yesterday. This is not a coincidence; a large weather system is currently blocking the migration route across this entire region.

Why the migration has paused:

Cold and Wet: Temperatures in Bulgaria and Southern Romania have dropped to 7–9°C (45–48°F) with persistent rain and mist.

No "Lift": Storks need the sun to create rising warm air (thermals) to soar. The heavy clouds and rain make it impossible for thermals to form.

North Wind: A steady wind from the north is blowing directly against the birds, making flight very exhausting.

The Strategy:
The storks are wisely saving their energy. Trying to cross the Balkan or Carpathian mountains in these conditions—with low visibility and freezing temperatures at higher altitudes—would be very dangerous.

Looking Ahead:
We expect a positive change around Tuesday, March 31st. The rain should stop, and the air will begin to warm up, finally creating the conditions they need to move north again.

[marika.solo]

AI GeminiChat:

Migration Update: Regional Weather Block

Region: From the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) through Bulgaria and Romania.

Current Situation (March 28, 2026):
GPS data shows that many adult storks have stopped in the same locations where they arrived yesterday. This is not a coincidence; a large weather system is currently blocking the migration route across this entire region.

Why the migration has paused:

Cold and Wet: Temperatures in Bulgaria and Southern Romania have dropped to 7–9°C (45–48°F) with persistent rain and mist.

No "Lift": Storks need the sun to create rising warm air (thermals) to soar. The heavy clouds and rain make it impossible for thermals to form.

North Wind: A steady wind from the north is blowing directly against the birds, making flight very exhausting.

The Strategy:
The storks are wisely saving their energy. Trying to cross the Balkan or Carpathian mountains in these conditions—with low visibility and freezing temperatures at higher altitudes—would be very dangerous.

Looking Ahead:
We expect a positive change around Tuesday, March 31st. The rain should stop, and the air will begin to warm up, finally creating the conditions they need to move north again.

[marika.solo]

previous data 28.03 viewtopic.php?p=54705#p54705
next data 30.03

March 29
Hello everyone

FROM
- 28.03.2026, Distance: 5315 km (+ 17 km)
- Turkey: Mahmudiye - a municipality and district of Eskişehir Province

TO:
- 29.03.2026, Distance: 5316 km (+ 1 km)
- same place

[marika.solo]

previous data 29.03 viewtopic.php?p=54719#p54719
next data 31.03 viewtopic.php?p=54852#p54852

March 30
Hello everyone

FROM
- 29.03.2026, Distance: 5316 km (+ 1 km)
- Turkey: Mahmudiye - a municipality and district of Eskişehir Province

TO:
- 30.03.2026, Distance: km (+ km)
-

NO new data for UKU

[marika.solo]

previous data 30.03 viewtopic.php?p=54781#p54781 NO new data
next data 01.04

March 31
Hello everyone

FROM
- 29.03.2026, Distance: 5316 km (+ 1 km)
- Turkey: Mahmudiye - a municipality and district of Eskişehir Province

30.03.2026 NO new data for UKU

TO
- 31.03.2026, Distance: 5524 km (+ 208 km in 2 days)
-

The latest ECMWF and ICON models show a significant improvement today. The low cloud cover is breaking up, and the strong headwinds have finally subsided. With stabilizing air pressure and the return of thermal currents, conditions are now ideal for travel. We are hopeful that Janis, Kergu, Mats, and Uku have taken advantage of this window to push further north!

[marika.solo]