Key points
- The first egg has appeared in the nest of Grytsyk and Odarka.
- Thousands of viewers follow the pair online.
- Last year, the storks had five chicks; the youngest was cared for by people.
- Four chicks successfully grew up and left the nest.
- Between 2022 and 2025, 16 storks were raised in the nest.
- More eggs are expected in the near future.
In the nest of Ukraine’s well-known storks Grytsyk and Odarka, a new development has been recorded as the birds have laid the first egg of the new season.
Thousands of viewers have been following the pair for several years through a live stream from the village of Lelyaky in Poltava region. The nest was previously home to Odarka and Grytsko, but in 2025 Odarka returned with a new mate, who was named Grytsyk.
Last year, the pair hatched five chicks. The youngest, named Katruся by viewers, was taken out of the nest by the male. The chick was rescued by people, cared for until full recovery, and later joined a flock before migrating for the winter.
The other four chicks learned to fly successfully and left the nest at the end of July 2025.
Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 16 young storks were raised in this nest. More eggs are expected to appear in the near future.
The nest in Lelyaky has become one of the most popular examples of online wildlife observation in Ukraine. The camera allows viewers to follow all stages of the birds’ lives, from their return from wintering to raising their chicks.
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Storks Hrytsyk and Odarka drove competitors out of their nest in Pyriatyn National Park
