This is early December the cranes whom have always caused much interest, not least by there very loud and almost raucous pre-historic calls, are returning to southern France to over winter by a lake not far from where we live. They can travel in groups of hundreds of birds, given their size, as well as the noise they are bound to attract lots of attention. They travel from Eastern Europe, and enter north eastern France down to the Pyrenees orientales, in south-west France. Often flying further south to Spain, Portugal and Africa and as far down as Thailand and India. In May they make there way back to Sweden and eastern Europe to breed.
The common crane or Eurasian crane (Grus grus) is one of two cranes that preside in Europe, the other being the Demoiselle.
They can actually cover the distance of France corner to corner in a day, that's some energy, bearing in mind that they have quite a body weight to keep up, they are a good deal bigger than our average grey heron.
the flight paths across france
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| the lake is portioned off, at least a third is for the birds only and a designated nature reserve |
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| after a hot summer the lake is looking somewhat dry, but this is only one small tip |
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| a small gathering of gru's |
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| landing gear on, they are very graceful birds |
We now have several new observation points that they have made this summer, in terms of hides and a pretty track from the nearest observation point to the other side of the lake...about a fifteen minute walk and for those that can't or don't want to there is now a brand new car park by the original hide. They attract some serious twitchers for the next few months because they have chosen this lake to overwinter. Probably the least migratory distance and obviously not quite as warm as the tips of Africa.
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| they are often seen flying in very large groups, or several groups of tight v formations |
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| some aerial displays as they get ready to land |
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| there wingspan can cover 75ins- 96ins wingspan?! |
