Gemma

Profile Picture and Leg Ring Combination Code

• Red
• White
• Red

What is this?

Each crane has a unique combination of 3 coloured rings on their right leg. This marking code helps to identify the crane in the wild.

Character profile:

Summer 2010:  Gemma is Clarence’s sister and sidekick and is a high ranking female. She can be aggressive and comes to the defence of Clarence if anyone tries to challenge his authority. She is often found in a small cohort along with Clarence and Michael.Sept 2010: Gemma has continued to explore the landscape around the release pen along with  Clarence and Michael, but also with Wendy, Glibert, Red-Black, Green-Black;Yellow-Black;Black-Yellow and Bart. She is a fine looking bird, who seems to enjoy the security of the cohort group.  She regularly roosts within the release enclosure pool each night along with 18 of the other cranes.October 2010: Gemma is still Clarence's favourite friend and is always there to explore the new areas they are discovering around the Levels and Moors.Nov 2010: In recent weeks the cranes have all joined forces with Clarence and Gemma's group and are now usually moving as a group of 20. They have found new fields to explore and are often found foraging on maize stubbles, Gemmas new favourite food!JAN 2011:  Gemma has become one of the flock - with the whole body of birds largely acting as one over through the coldest December on record. As one of the oldest, she is starting to show signs of her adult plumage with pale cheek patches and a darker neck.  See recent photo! March 2011:  As with the other birds, Gemma although a bit scruffy just now, survived the winter well and is in good health. She is starting to display quite a lot and is one of the keenest dancers in the group.April 2011:  A couple of days after her 1st birthday, Gemma flew to Catcott and Shapwick with Clarence, Bart and Chris where they roosted the night, before heading back to join the rest of the birds in their more usual haunts around Aller Moor. September 2011:  Gemma has been socialising well with the new 2011 cranes and has not been involved in any major fights between the age groups.  Her adult plumage has developed well, and is almost fully established, giving her a beautiful appearance.

Crane Champions

Photos of Gemma

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