Cold comfort for migrant birds in Germany
- 11 years ago
Migrant birds in Germany have been delaying trips north with frigid weather blanketing much of Germany.
Ornithologist Bernd Petri filmed thousands of birds in southern Germany who would typically be heading north to breeding grounds.
(SOUNDBITE) (German) ORNITHOLOGIST, BERND PETRI, SAYING:
"The birds reacted to the cold by turning around. Overall, it's not very dangerous for them. The only danger is when they are being disrupted in their rest areas, by dogs, walkers or riders. In that case, they lose a lot of energy and since they can only find small amounts of food -- that can be dangerous for them."
Some birds are finding ways to keep warm.
Others do what they can to eat.
In a small town north of Berlin, cranes gather on snow covered fields -- cold comfort in what is supposed to be spring time.
Ornithologist Bernd Petri filmed thousands of birds in southern Germany who would typically be heading north to breeding grounds.
(SOUNDBITE) (German) ORNITHOLOGIST, BERND PETRI, SAYING:
"The birds reacted to the cold by turning around. Overall, it's not very dangerous for them. The only danger is when they are being disrupted in their rest areas, by dogs, walkers or riders. In that case, they lose a lot of energy and since they can only find small amounts of food -- that can be dangerous for them."
Some birds are finding ways to keep warm.
Others do what they can to eat.
In a small town north of Berlin, cranes gather on snow covered fields -- cold comfort in what is supposed to be spring time.