We studied numbers and productivity of the European White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) during 1968-2002 at Kłopot village colony (in the Odra River valley, Poland) and their response to water level and livestock farming. The number of nesting pairs (range 19-33) fluctuated independently of the April and June water level, but correlated with the presence of a local livestock farm. The average number of chicks fledged per pair was negatively correlated with the water level in April, when White Storks choose the breeding area. The White Stork appears to use farming activity rather than water level in making a decision as to where to a settle. This result suggests that changes in management practices, which are relatively easily made, may improve demographic parameters of local breeding White Storks.