Cranes Grus grus, Eldernell, 24 November - 1 December 2002
Video grab by Brian Stone
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PBC Gallery Cranes Grus grus, Eldernell, 24 November - 1 December 2002 Video grab by Brian Stone |
Two adults and a juvenile were mobile between March Farmers and Eldernell during the Sunday afternoon. They gave excellent views on the ground and in flight against a backdrop of thousands of Lapwing, Golden Plover and wildfowl, up to 20 Short-eared Owls and a ringtail Hen Harrier. The juvenile has its head down feeding in the picture below.
November records are extremely rare and this is the first in the PBC area, although there were singles elsewhere in Cambridgeshire on 15 Nov 1994 and 16 Nov 1991. Most occur in April/May.
Cranes have occurred annually in the area for the past three years and this is the third record this year. Others were on 24 March at Woodwalton Fen and 15 April (a probable) over Priestgate. There were also three records in 2001 but otherwise they are not recorded every year and then usually only once. Historically these birds bred in the Fens, probably including this area, until the 18th century.
Birds are most likely to originate from the small east Norfolk population but southward migrating birds heading for the large wintering areas east of Paris may occasionally take a more westerly route and account for some autumn records. Up to 80,000 Cranes are reported at the Lac du Der-Chantecoq in November. Click here for more information about Crane migration.
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