Until recently the only impression cranes have left on the landscape of South West England are their fossilised footprints in the muds of the Severn estuary. That’s all set to change.
In a pioneering partnership between the RSPB, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and funders Viridor Credits, eggs of common cranes are currently hatching at Slimbridge (and here’s one of the chicks photographed just yesterday). You can see some film here and read more about the project in Jeremy Cooke's report on BBC News Online
This is a key milestone in the project that will eventually see wild cranes once again flying across the Somerset Levels.
Their trumpeting calls will add to the sound-scape of the Levels where years of hard work is transforming the fortunes of wetland wildlife for the better. Already the booming of bitterns has returned – a sign that if you get the habitat in good condition nature will respond. The bitterns found the area on their own. The cranes are getting a helping hand – you can follow the fortunes of the Great Crane project on its own website, I certainly plan to keep an eye on the project and bring you the highlights on this blog.