We welcome some new visitors to Cormatin. A pair of storks have taken up residence at the Chateau and they have been seen flying over La Maison du Curé. You can often see them foraging in the fields by the river, on the right as you go south out of Cormatin. We are used to seeing white egrets or herons but these are somewhat bigger with black wings.
It’s the first time we have seen storks as normally they live in the Alsace, returning there after overwintering in Africa. Storks are said to be the symbol of happiness and faithfulness and bring good luck if they nest on your chimney stack.
Of course as everyone knows they also deliver new babies in a sheet slung from their beaks. If a child in the Alsace wants a new brother or sister they leave a sugarlump on the windowledge to attract a stork in the hope that it will exchange its bundle for the sugar.
The Maire is hoping that our storks will bring plenty of petits Cormatinois for the new school which will be ready soon.
