## **THE CORNWALL STORK PROJECT Annual Report 2025 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025** Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity Number: 1211474 ## **Overview** 2025 was the first full year of activity for The Cornwall Stork Project. During this period, the charity focused on establishing the foundations required to support the reintroduction of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) to Cornwall. Progress has been made in three key areas: - securing initial funding - developing partnerships and identifying suitable sites - establishing a small captive breeding population These steps position the project to begin releasing birds into the wild during 2026. ## **Objectives and Activities** ## **Summary of the purposes of the organisation** To promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biodiversity through the reintroduction of storks to the UK, in particular, but not exclusively by: a. Promoting the practical welfare of storks, including the creation of new natural habitats and re-establishment of existing natural habitats. b. Promoting research in subjects pertaining to storks, the natural environment and conservation of natural habitats and related fields of study and disseminating the useful results of such research. ## **Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit** Fundraising to obtain funds for the re-introduction of storks and their care; and to develop and improve natural habitats for storks Fundraising to obtain funds to carry out any research into subjects relevant to the objects above. Advocating for storks, their re-introduction, their habitats and the natural environment generally, particularly in Cornwall. 1 Providing for the re-introduction and care of storks and other wildlife in Cornwall, including coordination and management of suitable sites; obtaining storks to re-introduce; ensuring welfare standards are met and supporting those managing stork sites and associated habitats Identifying and collaborating with suitable partners to the benefit of our mutual objectives. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales when exercising their powers and duties during the year. The Trustees believe that the charity has delivered public benefit during the period through the activities outlined in this report. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **Fundraising** In its first year, the charity raised £17,255 to support its activities, including £9,778 through a public Crowdfunder campaign. Funding was also supported by: - over 70 individual donors - £5,000 in match funding from Cornwall Council via the Cornwall Climate and - Nature Fund for a Crowdfunding campaign. The charity has also registered for Gift Aid and established a presence on JustGiving ## **Habitat Preparation** During 2025, the charity focused on identifying and securing suitable sites for breeding aviaries. Two organic farms have been identified as suitable locations for future breeding aviaries: - Woodland Valley Farm (near Truro) - Rosuick Farm (The Lizard) Both landowners have agreed to build aviaries and to support the care of birds. No direct habitat restoration or creation has yet been undertaken. These site agreements establish a foundation for future habitat work. 2 The Trustees have also begun preparatory work for the potential reintroduction of Eurasian Beavers to multiple river catchments in Cornwall. Beavers are ecosystem engineers and amongst their other benefits they rapidly create wetlands. Wetlands are ideal habitats for storks because of the high prey availability. Reintroducing beavers is the most cost-effective way of improving and creating stork habitat in Cornwall. No applications or releases have yet taken place. This work remains at an early stage and is subject to licensing and funding. ## **Reintroduction of Storks** A new breeding aviary has been established at Hamatethy (near Bodmin) - Eight breeding birds have been provided by the landowner - A further breeding pair has been loaned by Birdworld - The aviary currently holds five breeding pairs Seven juveniles (one from 2024 and six from 2025) are being held for release in summer 2026. These birds will be released alongside new chicks expected to be fledged in 2026. The planned release in 2026 will represent the first step towards establishing a wild breeding population in Cornwall. The intention is to continue releasing birds over several years to reinforce the wild population thus established. An additional source of Storks has been identified through a rescue centre in Poland. Injured birds which are still capable of breeding but not well enough to be released back into the wild can be re-homed in our proposed breeding aviaries. Birdworld – the specialist bird zoo in Farnham – has agreed to support the charity and is constructing a quarantine facility to enable the import of live birds to England. The charity is also working with Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park, which supports the early development of some chicks. By transferring some new chicks to their facility for hand-rearing we can significantly boost survival rates. These chicks will then be relocated back to the release pen when ready to fledge. ## **Advocacy and Engagement** The project has established: - a website: Cornwall Stork Project: Reintroducing Storks for Biodiversity | - The Cornwall Stork Project - an Instagram account with over 400 followers - a newsletter These channels are used to share updates and build public awareness and encourage donations. 3 ## **Partnerships** Working relationships have been established with: - Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park - Birdworld Zoo - Cornwall Wildlife Trust - Paradise Park Zoo These partnerships provide support in animal care, conservation expertise, and engagement. ## **Research** No formal research projects were initiated during 2025. The focus has been on establishing infrastructure and capacity. Research opportunities will be explored as the project develops. ## **Impact of Our Work** As a first-year organisation, the primary impact has been in establishing the conditions required for reintroduction. Key outcomes include: - creation of a small breeding population in Cornwall - agreements for additional aviary sites - initial public and financial support secured - partnerships formed to support delivery The project has not yet undertaken habitat restoration but has put in place the groundwork to enable this in future phases. ## **Looking Ahead** The next phase of the project will focus on: - releasing the first cohort of storks into the wild in 2026 - expanding breeding capacity across additional sites - continuing to build partnerships and engagement - developing plans for habitat improvement 4 ## **Financial Summary** Income: £17,255.04 Expenditure: £484.25 Balance at year end: £16,770.75 Expenditure was low in this first year as the priority was fundraising and establishing partnerships. The main expense will be the transport of Storks from Poland and associated costs. ## **Income detail** ## _**Donations**_ - Just Giving: £160.38 - Individual donors: £7255 - Individual donors (Crowdfunder): £4700 ## _**Grants**_ - Crowdfunder: £5077.92 ## _**Other**_ - Interest: £61.74 ## **Expenditure detail** Expenditure was low in this first year as the priority was raising funds and securing partners to import, care for and locate storks Animal transport costs - £484.75 ## **Reserves** Currently there is no formal reserves policy. Expenditure will only be approved within funds held and there are very limited liabilities including no assets held nor staff. This will be reviewed in 2026. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** This charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) was registered on 18 December 2024 so 2025 was its first year of operation. Initially founded by 3 trustees, two additional trustees were recruited, through advertising and interview, in the second quarter to increase capacity, particularly around governance, finances and communications. These are the trustees: 5 Christopher Jones – Chair (appointed 1 January 2025) Yan Swiderski (1 January 2025) Richard ffrench-Constant (1 January 2025) Emily McGlinchey (16 July 2025) Catriona Venner de Cortez (16 July 2025) The trustees meet quarterly, usually online, to make key decisions. Outside of meetings trustees communicate regularly to make smaller, more urgent decisions. ## **Declarations** ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** ## **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Yan Carlos Swiderski **Full name _____________________________________________** 15/07/2026 **Date ____________________** Trustee **Position ___________________________________________** 6 ## THE CORNWALL STORK PROJECT Annual ## report 2025 ## Final Audit Report ## 2026-07-15 Created: 2026-07-13 By: Kate Cortez (kate.cortez@trurodiocese.org.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAFohieSsXBxyW5yUP9WCsCaZ-MDLrYFQs ## "THE CORNWALL STORK PROJECT Annual report 2025" Histo ## ry ## Document created by Kate Cortez (kate.cortez@trurodiocese.org.uk) 2026-07-13 - 07:55:05 GMT- IP address: 77.44.119.63 ## Document emailed to Yan Swiderski (yan@hamatethy.com) for signature 2026-07-13 - 07:55:10 GMT ## Email viewed by Yan Swiderski (yan@hamatethy.com) 2026-07-13 - 08:15:19 GMT- IP address: 217.216.97.138 ## Document e-signed by Yan Swiderski (yan@hamatethy.com) Signature Date: 2026-07-15 - 06:19:19 GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 217.216.97.142 - Signature appearance selected: MOBILE_IMAGE ## Agreement completed. 2026-07-15 - 06:19:19 GMT