40 days and 40 nights

  Chick A4 (Red Black Blue) now over 40 days old!

For over forty days (and nights) the crane team at WWT Slimbridge have been caring for the new batch of cranes  - all of which are growing phenomenally fast.

I have been popping up to lend a hand from time to time... and have to resist the words my Grandma always said to me when I went to visit.... "Here ... havn't you grown! "

The birds characters are really starting to show. There are bold ones, timid ones, bolshy ones, alert and perky ones, independent ones, clingy ones, and, as ever....downright scarily agressive ones....

With the exception of A2 (red yellow blue) which falls into this 'psychotic' category -  most of the older birds are now being walked as a single happy cohort of six but still need to be kept a very close eye on. 

It won't be long until some of the younger birds can also form as stable group... but for the moment, they are still having independent excercise, being led regularly on long walks around the enclosure to ensure that their ever-growing legs and bodies are in tip-top condition.  

There are plenty of insects in the long grass this year, the young birds eagerly hoover up spiders, beetles, and small snails - as well as trying out anything else that looks like it might be tasty.

In only eight weeks these guys will be ready for transport to Somerset..... I can't wait!  

About the author

Damon’s role is to act as the hub of the project - making sure everyone involved knows what is going on and that it is all running smoothly. He is also responsible for project community awareness work in Somerset, construction of the release enclosure, and running the post release monitoring work in Somerset.  Damon works alongside the RSPB reserve teams in Somerset.