27.02.2026 14:04
The stork Yaren, whose friendship with fisherman Adem Yılmaz living in Bursa is the subject of a film, has come to Eskikaraağaç Stork Village for the 15th time this year. The stork, which arrived on February 24 and was thought to be Nazlı, was recognized as Yaren when it landed on Yılmaz's boat, which opens to the lake, and those moments were captured by wildlife photographer Alper Tüydeş.
The friendship between fisherman Adem Yılmaz and Yaren the stork, in the village of Eskikaraağaç in the Karacabey district of Bursa, the only village representing Turkey in the European Stork Villages Union, has turned into a story followed with great interest by millions.
Yaren, who comes every migration season and lands on Adem Yılmaz's boat, arrived in the village for the 15th time this year. It was understood that the stork, which arrived in the village early in the morning on February 24 and was later seen on the roof of fisherman Adem Yılmaz's house, was Yaren, believed to be the wife of Yaren, who was thought to be Nazlı.
IT TURNED OUT TO BE HER
The stork thought to be Nazlı turned out to be Yaren when it landed on Yılmaz's boat opening to the lake this morning. Those moments were captured by wildlife photographer Alper Tüydeş.
"WE REALIZED IT WAS YAREN WHO CAME"
Alper Tüydeş announced on his social media account that the stork that came to the village was not Nazlı, but Yaren. In his post, Tüydeş said, "Welcome back Yaren. For days, while looking longingly to the south with Uncle Adem, wondering 'Will we see her?', it turned out she was watching us from the roof; we couldn't recognize her. For the first two days, she stayed distant and shy on the roof and in the garden, so we thought she was his wife. Due to weather conditions, we couldn't open to the lake either. Yesterday, when we started waiting in front of Uncle Adem's door, a doubt fell into our hearts. This morning, despite the freezing weather, we tried our luck again... And we realized that it was Yaren who came! Good news to those who are curious, those who ask, and those who are waiting for spring with a bird. The meeting took place in the 15th year as well," he said.
ESKİKARAĞAÇ, ON THE MIGRATION ROUTE OF STORKS
Eskikaraağaç Stork Village, the only village representing Turkey in the European Stork Villages Union, is located on the migration route where tens of thousands of storks pass every year during the migration season.
The village also hosts resident storks. The story of 'Yaren the Stork and Uncle Adem' is also followed with great interest by nature lovers.
In 2019, with the contributions of the Karacabey Municipality, the story was filmed by director Burak Doğansoysal and won the 'Best Documentary' award at the Prague Film Awards.
Last year, the Karacabey Municipality commissioned a monument for Fisherman Adem and Yaren the Stork, ensuring the story's immortality in the village square.
THE NEST CAN BE WATCHED
The story of Yaren the Stork and Uncle Adem has also brought tourism activity to the village. Nature lovers who hear the story and want to see the storks up close visit Eskikaraağaç Stork Village in Karacabey every year.
Among those who came to see Uncle Adem and Yaren were famous names such as Ata Demirer, Aslıhan Gürbüz, and Yıldıray Şahinler.
The Karacabey Municipality launched the website www.yarenleylek.com to enable the nest of Yaren the Stork and her mate to be watched live online 24/7. Thus, Yaren the stork can be followed by those who eagerly await her.