Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for April–June 2026
Monitoring Wood Storks and Tracking Nesting Outcomes
by Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist, and Brooke Callisto, Waterbird Technician
W e conducted our annual nest abundance surveys for Wood Storks in North Carolina during the spring. For the 2026 breeding season, we recorded a total of 712 active Wood Stork nests across four active nesting colonies. This year’s count is among the highest nest abundance estimates observed since 2005. Wood Storks were not docu- mented at four other locations where nesting has previously occurred, one of which is a natural Car- olina Bay which has dried up, likely due to our pro- longed drought. During Wood Stork monitoring, we also found three Little Blue Heron nests that were positioned such that we decided to deploy trail cameras in an attempt to track nesting outcomes – a task that is nearly impossible to accomplish via direct observa- tion. We were able to set up trail cameras approxi- mately 50 feet from each nest without disturbing any nearby birds. The cameras are set to take one picture once every three minutes throughout the nesting season. We are hopeful that this approach will allow us to capture any predation or competition events. We may also get some information about food items brought to young by the adult birds.
KACY COOK/NCWRC
Wood Stork nest with young, in a cypress tree.
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