Cranes nest in Scotland, first time since the Middle Ages

This video is called BBC Earthflight (Winged Planet) – Common Cranes Fly Over Venice (Narrated by David Tennant).

From Wildlife Extra:

Cranes breed in Scotland for first time since the Middle Ages

Farmland areas provide home for secretive bird

September 2013. Common cranes have bred in Scotland for the first time in many centuries. The graceful birds, known for their tall stature, loud trumpeting calls and elegant breeding displays, have successfully raised two chicks within the last two years in north east Scotland, indicating conditions could be right for more of the species to settle in Scotland.

Small but increasing numbers of the migratory birds, which spend their summers in northern Europe and winters in France and Spain, have passed through Britain in recent years with a small breeding population becoming established in East Anglia. However, these are the first confirmed successful nests north of the border for hundreds of years.

Died out many centuries ago

Historic records and place names indicate that cranes were once present in Scotland but died out centuries ago, primarily due to hunting and their popularity as a dish at medieval banquets. Habitat loss and a slow reproductive cycle may have also led to their disappearance.

The species, which favours large wetland areas such as lowland peat bogs with an abundance of pools, appears to be benefitting from farming operations in the area which provide invertebrates, grains and other food and the right conditions to breed and successfully raise chicks.

First bred in 2012

Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “We are stunned and delighted to see that common cranes have bred successfully in Scotland. These charming, elegant birds have a strong place in our myths and history and are a delight to see, particularly during the breeding season with their “dancing” displays. They undertake regular migrations and small numbers have turned up on the east coast of Scotland in recent years, raising hopes of a re-colonisation. Last year the pair reared one chick- followed by a second chick in 2013.

Leave them in peace

“Thanks to the co-operation of farmers in the area, the conditions appear to be right for cranes to take up residence and it is possible that more will choose to re-establish themselves in the country in future.

“We have been working with local farmers, landowners and the community to monitor these fantastic birds. Despite their size and flamboyant breeding displays, cranes are secretive birds and are very sensitive to disturbance and we ask that they be given space and peace so they may establish a breeding population in Scotland.”

Cranes in Scotland

To minimise risk of disturbance, the exact location of the nest site will not be revealed.

Although records are limited, cranes featured in ancient banquets and were killed presumably for food and perhaps for crop protection. Habitat loss and a slow reproductive rate may also have been factors in their disappearance.

Recolonisation in other parts of the UK began in Norfolk during the late 1970s. Since then, numbers have increased and new sites have been colonised. The UK breeding population stood at 17 pairs in 2011.

In addition to natural re-colonisation, a re-introduction project began in 2010 on the Somerset levels.