A pair of white storks nesting in Norfolk could be the first in the UK to breed from a traditional nest for nearly 600 years.
The birds are nesting on an 18th century chimney of former stately home Thrigby Hall at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens near Great Yarmouth and are involved in mating rituals, experts say.
The white stork breeds in continental Europe, migrating to Africa in winter.
The last record of storks breeding in Britain was at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in 1416.
Thrigby Hall nesting storks may end 600-year wait
1 April 2014
BBC News
White storks often nest close to humans but normally in warmer climes
A pair of white storks nesting in Norfolk could be the first in the UK to breed from a traditional nest for nearly 600 years.
The birds are nesting on a chimney at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens near Great Yarmouth and are involved in mating rituals, experts say.
The white stork breeds in continental Europe, migrating to Africa in winter.
The last record of storks breeding in Britain was at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in 1416.
Ken Sims, director of the wildlife gardens said: "We gave the storks a helping hand by building a structure for their nest on the hall's front chimney.
"But they turned their back on our handiwork and have built their own nest on one of the rear stacks."
He said he thought the female stork was on the point of laying and they had been watching them mate.
"The beaks are used like clappers and they throw their heads back," he said.
"They greet each other with lots of clicking and clacking."
The storks have built their nest on an 18th century chimney at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
The last record of storks breeding in Britain was at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in 1416
The nesting birds are part of the collection at the wildlife gardens and director Ken Sims said they had been trying to get storks to nest for many years.
"We've kept them for a number of years but they have been pinion birds [flight feathers on one wing have been removed} and have occasionally bred on the ground.
"But to have them free-flying and nesting as they would do in the wild is very rare."
Mr Sims said they would be keeping a close eye on the storks
Stork facts
The white stork is a large white bird with black wings and red legs and beak
They breed anywhere from North Africa up through Europe and into Asia
They have a large wing span of up to 7ft (2m) in length
They nest close to human habitation - chimneys, rooftops or telegraph pole
They are known throughout the world as a symbol of fertility
Source: RSPB
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
The Hall was built in 1736 by Joshua Smith, Esquire. It is probable that Thomas Ivory, who designed the Norwich Assembly Rooms, was the architect of the Hall and the Summer House.
The grounds were laid out in the style of William III. In 1876 the Hall was remodelled by the then owner, Squire Daniels.
After returning from Malaya where he had been a rubber planter, poisonous snake farmer and a crocodile keeper, Ken Sims opened Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens in 1979.
Inspired by the first David Attenborough TV programme and the early writings of Gerald Durrell, Ken had chosen to work in Asia as a way of learning more about the wonderful wildlife of that region. Supplying zoos in Europe and America with rare species, and helping with the National Zoo of Malaysia, he gained valuable experience which he put to good use in the design of the Gardens.
BBC News - Thrigby Hall nesting storks may end 600-year wait
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