Whilst out monitoring on a hazy morning at the end of January one of our volunteers, John Crispin, was also out taking some pictures of the birds. He has sent some in to us to share with you. The unrung bird has been reguarly spotted joining Pepper, Flash, Charlie and Albert to share a meal around the feeder seet up on Aller Moor. Check out our facebook page for more images http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.296165403771676.73144.159346644120220&type=1.
The Crane Project staff had a bit of an interesting experience on monday. There had been plans this week to catch a few of the 2011 and 2010 birds and fit them with properly functioning satellite and radio tags. It was assumed that a costumed rearer would be able to walk rigt up to the cranes, as was happening in August and September. The cranes, however, had different ideas. The first atttempt to get close ended up with them taking flight, with most of the birds circling low, evidently quite curious to see Dad after so long, but shortly flew a few miles away.&n
Over the last month, the Crane project team had been getting reports or varying numbers of unringed 'wild' adult cranes in with our flock of Somerset birds. During the last two weeks, however, one of these wild cranes has regularly been seen following and feeding alongside our cranes, and now seems to have made the decision to stay for the winter. This seems to be rather wise as a migration this late in the season could most likely be unsuccessful.
All 34 Somerset Cranes have been spending much of their time of late out feeding on Aller Moor. The have been quite easily observable from the Parrett Trail Footpath feeding in fields out on the moor over a range of habitats including grassland and suupplementary sacrificial crops left by farmers for them.
There was great surprise when yesterday (Sunday 16th October) three wild cranes were spotted feeding amongst our birds out on the Moors and Levels! There was slight speculation as to whether these wid birds, without any leg rings, would stick around, or fly away and take all of the somerset cranes with them. They left, heading South, in late afternoon, without any other cranes in tow, most probably trying to complete a migration that was by now well off course. These cranes could well be the three which were spotted flying South-West across the Bristol Channel in
About 6 weeks ago one of the young cranes, Swampy, was found injured, unable to walk or fly she had to be taken into our rehabilitation unit. It took about 4 weeks for her to fully recover, which worried us as she was spending valuable bonding time away from the rest of the younger group and also missing out on any interactions with the older 2010 birds.
A few weeks ago, one member of the 2011 crane cohort, Mildred, or 'Millie', unfortunately dissapeared. She was presumed to have either been lost due to predation or from the strong winds generated by ex-hurricane Katia. It was to great delight and amazment when news came through that she had been sighted! Not just on a neighbouring moor, or a few miles down the road, but in far eastern Kent! This is a direct journey of nearly 180 miles, as the crane flies, an amazing feat for such a young bird.
Clarence
Gemma
Minnie
Dennis
Gilbert
Michael
Bart
Yellow Black Red
Black Green Red
Mennis
Chris
Twinkle
Wendy
Howard
Vince
Squidgy
Green Black Red
Ruby
Tamsin
Reg
Sedge