White storks return to Turku’s Topinoja waste centre

White storks have been spotted again at the Topinoja waste centre in Turku, southwestern Finland, according to a statement by regional waste management agency Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto (LSJH).

A flock of five storks was observed at the site on Thursday evening. Last year, the same location saw only the second successful stork nesting in Finland, with a single chick—later named Topi—hatching in June 2025.

“Now we’ve hit the jackpot,” said Mikko Niemi, a sorting station operator at LSJH, in the agency’s press release. He noted that none of the birds wore leg rings, ruling out Topi’s return. Two of the storks were seen clattering their beaks, a behaviour typical of mating pairs, suggesting they could be Topi’s parents.

The storks’ migration has been delayed this spring due to cold winds, according to the statement. It remains unclear whether the birds will stay to nest or are merely passing through.

Last year’s nesting marked a rare event in Finland, where white storks have historically been uncommon breeders. The chick’s name, Topi, was chosen through a public vote.