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Somerset Sightings Map

February Update-

Viewing the cranes from the River Parrett Trail that runs along the Eastern bank of the River Parrett beside Aller Moor is the best vantage point on the Levels and Moors at the moment. Even from here they can often be a little hard to spot and telescopes or good binoculars are a must – you may hear them before you see them!

Please note that there is NO public access out along any of the droves onto Aller Moor, which is private land.
There is small layby for one or two cars at Stathe Corner where the Stoke St. Gregory Road joins the Burrowbridge to Langport Road (GR ST 375 292) and a longer one beside a metal footbridge over the Parrett just beyond the Oath Lock (GR ST 386 277).

Please don’t park on the metal bridge at Stathe Corner, as the Environment Agency need access to a transfer station, or over the bridge on the track as farm vehicles need to access the moor on a regular basis.
Also be aware that there has been a car broken into and valuables stolen whilst parked here – so do please take your valuables with you. Thanks and happy crane watching!

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To submit a sighting to the sightings map, you'll need to register first or login to your account. It only takes a minute to register, and all you need to provide is a username (and it's up to you if it's your real name or a nickname!) and a valid email address.  As soon as you've submitted the registration form, you'll receive a confirmation email, and all you need to do is follow the link to confirm your registration. Then you can login to the site, and submit your sighting.

Identifying the difference between Cranes and Herons

Both herons and cranes are big grey birds, but there are some very distinct differences. crane and heron identification

  • The heron flies with its neck bent and head tucked in so appears short necked, with long trailing legs.
  • The crane flies with neck outstretched like a goose and but also trails its long legs behind.
  • The pattern of flight is similar in both species, but Herons are very often solitary. Unlike herons the cranes go around as a little gang – and fly in a typical line formation, one behind the other, similar to a flock of geese.
  • Cranes are very unlikely to be standing still, and hunched beside pools, or ditches. This is heron behaviour.
  • Cranes are more likely to be heads down as a group picking over arable stubble, or in pasture land.
  • Presently the young cranes are very grey and brown looking. In contrast, herons actually have a lot of white on their bodies, and can look very pale or even white when viewed head on. As the young cranes mature, they will develop the distinctive white and black patterning on their heads and necks but their wings and bodies become a more uniform light grey.

Golden Rules to watching Cranes

Please put the welfare of the birds above your quest to get any identifying marks such as ring colours or combinations

The cranes are finding their way in the world, and if they are feeding or roosting in a particular habitat they need to be there undisturbed to feed or rest. Disturbing them may endanger their long term survival.

Watch from a sensible distance

You will need to keep at least 150 metres (400ft) or so from them to prevent them flying off if you are on foot. You can read the ring colour combinations easily at this distance (if the birds are in short vegetation!) with a good pair of binoculars or a telescope. If you see them suddenly “heads up” and alert, looking around they have probably heard or seen you and you may be too close. Keep very still and then back off slowly at this point and watch from a more discreet distance.

Be quiet and slow with your movements

Ideally it is best to watch the cranes from the cover of a vehicle, or a hide. Cranes are very wary birds and are easily ‘spooked’ by sudden movements, human figures breaking a skyline, or any sudden noises.

Please respect private land

As with any bird watching you must follow the country code and not trespass on private land.

Enjoy Somerset’s wild cranes – and share your sightings!