On a misty winter’s morning 400 years ago, wild cranes would have been a common sight on the Somerset Levels and Moors. Then, through hunting and changes to their marshland home, these wetland birds disappeared.
Now RSPB is offering people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of Somerset’s first wild reintroduced cranes.
Starting on 4th January, RSPB are running numerous “dates with the cranes” including a talk, refreshments, video and an escorted trip to a secret lookout to see the flock of forty eight wild cranes.
One of this years new releases
This year the RSPB are running two different sorts of events: events for adults, and separate family events for children.
The Great Crane Project, a partnership between The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and RSPB, with major funding from Viridor Credits, is now in its third year of bringing the birds back to the county.
Damon Bridge, Great Crane Project manager, said: “To show people wild cranes in Somerset will be spine-tingling. The interest in this project is huge. Cranes are a badge of identity for the Somerset Levels and Moors. To re-establish a population of birds is a massive achievement and the sight we are offering is truly breathtaking.”
The events for adults are running on 4th Jan, 10th Jan, 11th Jan, 18th Jan, 19th Jan, 24th Jan, 31st Jan 10.00 – 13.30. Meet at the Willow and Wetlands Centre, Stoke Saint Gregory, TA3 6HY.
Events include a talk about the Great Crane Project, trip to a secret crane lookout station, soup & a hot drink, and chance to see a chapter of RSPB’s hit RSPB crane film “Born to Fly”. £13.00 per person: not suitable for under 12s. Booking essential. £6 deposit to be paid in advance. Remainder payable to RSPB on the day in cash. This includes £2 donation to Somerset hospice and £5 donation to the RSPB. Own transport essential for trip to crane lookout. Stout footwear and all weather clothing essential.
The family events are running 19th Jan (p.m.), 2nd Feb (p.m.), 9th Feb (p.m.) 13.45 - 16.45. £13.00 per adult, kids £2, RSPB junior members free of charge. Includes hot drink for adults and craft activity. Maximum of 2 children per paying adult. Other details as above.
The booking number for the events is 07703716524 with the hotline open for bookings between 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 16:30 Saturday.
Callers should specify whether you are booking for an event for adults or a family day in the first instance. No bookings are being taken between 25th Dec and 3rd Jan.
Another of this years youngsters
For more information about the Great Crane Project in general visit www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk
The Great Crane Project Direct: 01458 254414 RSPB West Sedgemoor Office, Dewlands Farm, Redhill, Curry Rivel, Langport, Somerset TA10 0PH "The Great Crane Project is a partnership between The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, The RSPB, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Viridor Credits Environmental Company. Our aim is to restore healthy populations of wild cranes throughout the UK, so that people can once again experience these beautiful birds." www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk www.facebook.com/thegreatcraneproject