The Storks Grytsyk and Odarka: The Battle for the Nest in the Village of Lelyaky

On April 6 at 12:30 PM, a stork named Grytsyk made his triumphant return to his native nest in the village of Lelyaky, located in the Poltava region of Ukraine. This moment became a significant event as Grytsyk successfully reclaimed his partner, the stork Odarka, from another bird known as Lel.

This captivating story was shared by bird researcher Iryna Sarazhynska. She noted that previously, another stork named Lel had arrived at the nest of Grytsyk and Odarka. This bird had settled in and was waiting for his partner. When another stork joined Lel, observers named her Kvitka. A series of stork pyramids occurred between these birds, a behavior that typically precedes the laying of the first egg within a week.

However, on April 5, Odarka returned to the nest where Lel and Kvitka had previously lived. She had prior experience living in this nest in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Without hesitation, Odarka attacked Kvitka, who had already established herself in the nest, forcing Kvitka to seek a new nesting site.

Lel, attempting to bring Kvitka back, ultimately decided not to return to the nest occupied by Odarka. Following this, the male stork returned to the nest and began living with Odarka, where they also engaged in stork pyramids. However, on April 6, Grytsyk returned to the nest, having previously lived there with Odarka in 2025.

Iryna Sarazhynska vividly described the moment Grytsyk returned: "Confidently, boldly, powerfully, Grytsyk swooped into the nest to defend what was his, to fight for his place, to remain in his home. Attack, battle, confrontation, blood... Storks fight desperately for their native home. Today, this was demonstrated by the males - Lel and Grytsyk. Victory goes to Grytsyk, and now Lel has every chance to return to Kvitka, with whom there was harmony and coordination in the nest of Grytsyk and Odarka..."

However, according to the researcher, along with Lel, Odarka was also driven out of the nest, and Kvitka returned to the star-studded nest. This situation did not last long, as Odarka decided to reclaim her place. "Grytsyk was not left alone in the nest: Kvitka joined him! They engaged in their stork rituals, and stork pyramids occurred. But Odarka will not easily give up her nest. There was a rematch. Odarka drove the rival out of the nest and stayed with Grytsyk. They engaged in their rituals, and stork pyramids occurred, and now they are expected to have eggs," Sarazhynska recounted.

This enthralling tale of storks Grytsyk and Odarka highlights not only their struggle for the nest but also the complexities of avian life, where competition and instincts play a crucial role in survival and the continuation of their lineage.