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Photos: Meet some of Tampa Bay's nesting wood storks

Wood storks have started congregating at a rookery in Port Richey as the spring mating cycle begins. The location, at a fenced retention pond, hosts colonies of breeding birds.
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Published Jan. 27, 2022|Updated Feb. 3, 2022
Wood storks flap about while nesting on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The rookery hosts colonies of breeding birds December through May.
Wood storks flap about while nesting on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The rookery hosts colonies of breeding birds December through May.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
Wood storks congregate on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the rookery in Port Richey. The American wading bird is one of 17 species of storks that are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world.
Wood storks congregate on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the rookery in Port Richey. The American wading bird is one of 17 species of storks that are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
Wood storks work together while preparing nests on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. Once mating has occurred, the female lays one clutch of three to five cream-colored eggs.
Wood storks work together while preparing nests on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. Once mating has occurred, the female lays one clutch of three to five cream-colored eggs.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
A wood stork carries a twig while nesting on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The nest itself is built by the male from sticks and green twigs collected from the colony and the surrounding area.
A wood stork carries a twig while nesting on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The nest itself is built by the male from sticks and green twigs collected from the colony and the surrounding area.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
Courtship continues between pairs of wood storks on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The mating season starts with a male wood stork picking a spot for a nest, who challenges all who come close, except for the female who he finds agreeable.
Courtship continues between pairs of wood storks on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. The mating season starts with a male wood stork picking a spot for a nest, who challenges all who come close, except for the female who he finds agreeable.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
A wood stork rests on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. Adult wood storks reach sexual maturity by 4 years old. Mating pairs often mate for life and return to the same breeding locations each year where they made nests and raised young.
A wood stork rests on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at a rookery in Port Richey. Adult wood storks reach sexual maturity by 4 years old. Mating pairs often mate for life and return to the same breeding locations each year where they made nests and raised young.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times 
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