A New Stork Pair Emerges in the Nest of Odarka and Grytsik

On April 2, 2023, a remarkable event took place in the stork nest of Odarka and Grytsik, situated in the village of Lelyaky in the Poltava region. A new pair of storks has formed, marking a significant moment for local wildlife enthusiasts. The first to arrive at the nest was a male stork, who actively began to arrange his living space while waiting for a female, as confirmed by bird researcher Iryna Sarazhynska.

"At 19:04:58 on April 2, they met. He and she. A pair of storks," noted Iryna Sarazhynska, commenting on this important event. This information was revealed through ongoing observations of the nest, which has become popular among viewers eager to witness the storks' activities.

It is worth recalling that on March 24, a new bird appeared in the nest of Odarka and Grytsik. Observers, who were closely monitoring the events, speculated that this was not last year's resident but a new stork that had taken over the nest. Over the following ten days, the new bird actively furnished its home, bringing in hay, grass, and twigs, but it remained unclear whether it was a male or female.

With the arrival of the second bird on April 2, it became evident that the first one was a male. "And there were pyramids. And a pair was formed. And we already know who was so diligently arranging the nest, as the pyramids indicated. Everyone saw that she arrived, and he welcomed her into the nest. And next, we might expect the first egg in about a week, unless nature decides to surprise us with new scenarios in the nest," added Iryna Sarazhynska, emphasizing the importance of this moment for observing avian life.

The stork nest in the Poltava region has become a genuine focal point for Ukrainians. For over three years, local residents and nature lovers have been observing the lives of these birds. Previously, Odarka and Grytsik had incubated eggs and cared for chicks in this nest. However, in 2025, Odarka returned to the nest with a new partner, who was named Grytsik.

In 2025, five chicks hatched from the storks, but the youngest, affectionately named Katryusha by users, was taken out of the nest by Grytsik. People cared for the bird until it gained strength and flew off for the winter with a flock. The other four chicks successfully learned to fly and left the nest at the end of July 2025.

This news about the new pair of storks in Lelyaky serves as a vivid example of how nature continues to surprise and delight people, as well as a reminder of the importance of observing birds and their lives. Observers eagerly await new events in the nest and hope for a successful hatching of chicks this season.