European Cranes In The Limousin

Scientific Name : Grus grus

Common Names :
English : Crane
French : Grus cendree
German : Kranich
Dutch : Kraanvogel

Appearance : This is a large grey crane, bigger than a heron but with characteristic long neck and legs which protrude beyond the tail. They occur in our region as migrants going north in spring (February/March) to their breeding grounds mainly in north-east Europe, and returning south to southern Europe and north Africa in the autumn (October/December). Migrant flocks may consist of just a few birds to over 1000, usually travelling in V formation but making frequent thermal climbs to gain height.

Cranes are very vocal on migration as they keep constant contact with one another, especially with youngsters in autumn. In bad weather they will sometimes land : a possible place to see cranes on land is at the large Charante lakes nearby. Here they may be seen performing some of their spectacular courtship displays by dancing on long legs several metres in the air, calling their trumpeting calls. Usually flying by day, cranes can also be heard at night. In the spring, mid to late afternoon is the best time to see migrant flocks, but you will probably hear them first. On a single day it is possible to see up to 15,000 passing overhead, in numerous groups.

Distribution : Migrating cranes pass through France on a broad front from south-west to north-east. There are one or two sites in the north where they nest. In the UK cranes were wiped out in the 17th century, but are now breeding again in eastern England. The total world population is estimated to be around 250,000.

Nesting : There are no nesting birds in this region. They prefer undisturbed wetlands with wet bogs, lightly wooded swamps and reed-beds. Nests are built on the ground and usually two eggs are laid, incubated by both parents for 30 days.