Cranes

Sunday saw us revisit the Great Eastern Pingo Trail where we last went for a walk back in May 2009. Nothing much had changed, the walk along the old railway (closed in 1965) remains as pleasant a railway walk as any. and the wetlands of Thompson Carr were alive with life - insects, birds, grass snakes and deer all taking advantage of the warm April sunshine.

But it was as we sat having our lunch beside a largish pingo at Stowbedon Covert (TL936966) that we noticed two large birds circling overhead. Too big for geese, similar to giant herons with outstretched necks - these were seriously large birds. Then Miss W mentioned that she had heard on the local news a while ago that Cranes were extending their range in Norfolk beyond the small colony on the Norfolk Broads.

That's what we were seeing - a pair of cranes scouting out a new nesting site. We watched them for about ten minutes or so before they drifted away. A superb sight. Brilliant!

A pair of Common Cranes in flight - the wingspan is between 6 and 8 feet (240cm) - pic by Gt Yarmouth Bird Club.