Common Cranes at Cheselbourne

                                

Common Cranes, Cheselbourne, Dorset 7/12/13

These two magnificent birds were feeding in a roadside field, on the weeds and small plants they favour at this time of year (in summer, their diet changes to one of large insects, reptiles, rodents and small birds). The species is widespread across Europe and Asia, mainly wintering in north east Africa and Southern Asia, though many spend the winter in Europe and approximately 50 do so in England (all of which, other than these two, are in East Anglia). They became extinct as a breeding bird in Britain in the 17th Century due to persecution and habitat destruction, however a small population has now returned to the Norfolk Broads, and a reintroduction scheme is underway in Somerset. Hopefully this stately bird, standing at over one metre tall and with a remarakble two metre wingspan, will return as a regular breeding species in Britain again at some point in the future.

These two birds probably originated in Eastern Europe, though it is impossible to know for sure. We watched them for some time, before they disappeared over the brow of the hill, and then treated us to the resplendent sight of seeing their great wings carrying them into the distance. Watching this breathtaking bird fly over the English countryside felt like we had stepped back 500 years. What a privilege it is to have such a magical species gracing our countryside.