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Frequently asked questions
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Find out more about what we've got planned, and why we're doing it.
Why are you doing the Great Crane Project?
We hope reintroduction will help accelerate cranes' re-colonisation of the UK. Cranes are exciting birds, loved by people and are part of our heritage. We hope that the Great Crane Project will help raise awareness of the importance of our wetlands and engage the community in wetland conservation.
How many could live in Somerset?
We estimate that the Levels and Moors could ultimately hold around 40 breeding pairs.
How rare are they?
This bird, sometimes called the Eurasian or common crane, is the most widely distributed of the 15 worldwide crane species and is a Species of European Conservation Concern, based on its large historical decline and current 'depleted' status (BirdLife International).
The worldwide population of 250,000 is probably on the increase, and there are around 70,000 in western Europe. A breeding population of around 15 pairs occurs in the UK - and nearly all of these in East Anglia. Cranes are now fully protected by law, and persecution would not pose a risk to any reintroduced population.
Why do it at all when there are so many other conservation priorities to address?
There are always many priorities with not enough money to go round. We have seen with other successful reintroductions, that these can a) significantly boost the UK population, and b) mobilise public support for conservation.
We hope the Somerset cranes will be a flagship species, inspiring people and helping to promote support for further conservation initiatives in this outstanding wetland.
Why are you establishing a resident population when cranes are migratory?
The reintroduced cranes will probably form a resident flock, as in Norfolk, and increasingly in parts of northern Europe.
Juvenile cranes have to learn about migration from their parents, and with no adults in the flock they should naturally remain in the vicinity of the release site. We don't rule out establishing a migratory population elsewhere in the long term but long-distance migration is unlikely to be necessary for cranes in southern Britain.
Why Somerset?
The Levels and Moors were chosen for several reasons
- They are extensive enough to support the initial reintroduction
- They contain a good proportion of land under nature conservation management and are relatively undisturbed with few major hazards
- The climate is mild
- They are geographically well located for expansion to new areas, and a good distance (approx 200 miles) from the existing population in East Anglia.
How do we know they used to live in the UK?
We know that suitable habitat was present with the Levels and Moors having large areas of wetland suitable for cranes, including lowland bog, wet woodland and reedbeds. The area is likely to have been a stronghold for cranes, with their bones found on archaeological sites at Glastonbury and Meare in Somerset.
Some 271 British place names refer to cranes, the vast majority of these wetlands or former wetlands, including Cranmore (Crane Marsh), near Shepton Mallet in Somerset. Anglo-Saxon for crane is cran, or cron, and crane in Old Norse is trani (eg. Tranmere).
Cranes are well documented in medieval manuscripts, and there are records from feasts: large numbers were eaten as 'Royal Fare' at feasts. For example, diners at Henry III's Christmas menu at York in 1251 consumed 115 cranes!
How can you harvest eggs without affecting the wild population?
Cranes lay two eggs but often only raise one chick. In normal circumstances, both eggs of a clutch will be removed, on the basis that cranes often lose a first clutch and will readily re-lay. We therefore expect that there will be very little impact on the donor population.
How will you monitor what's going on with the birds?
Post-release monitoring will be possible with engraved plastic leg-rings and satellite or radio tags, especially for the first 30 days. The population will be closely monitored by staff and volunteers of the project.
Will the birds be healthy?
All young birds will be health checked by a fully qualified vet following standard procedures. Birds won't be introduced to the release site if they are not fully fit and healthy. We take the welfare of each bird very seriously and will ensure the highest standards of care and provision for eggs and young birds during captivity.
There is no risk of any reintroduced birds bringing avian flu or other diseases to the Levels and Moors.
What effects will climate change have on the reintroduction?
It is clear that the climate is changing and will continue to change for the foreseeable future.
We can't foresee any specific problems at present, but will clearly need to monitor and review the suitability of the Levels and Moors for cranes over time, as we will for a wide range of other wetland habitats and species. The Great Crane Project will not address climate change directly but will promote all approaches to prevent it and its impacts on wildlife.
Will the cranes damage crops?
Wintering birds will eat a range of foods, including grain, often in the form of stubbles, but also wetland plants. We don't expect any major problems with crops in the area, and will be talking to local farmers before release. We anticipate the need to provide supplementary food for cranes after release and expect that this will help influence where they feed.
Will the cranes affect other wildlife?
Cranes eat a wide range of food, but are mainly vegetarian in winter. During the breeding season, they will take a wide range of animal material in wetland habitats where such food is naturally abundant.
There are already good numbers of waterbirds such as grey herons on the Levels and Moors, and we do not expect that the addition of a relatively small number of cranes will affect other wildlife.
Will the cranes bring in large numbers of visitors?
There is already an increasing demand for people to visit the Levels and Moors because of its history, landcape and wildlife. The Great Crane Project partners will be working closely with others to promote sustainable tourism in the area and to plan sensibly for people to visit its nature reserves.
Cranes provide an excellent opportunity for the rural economy through travel, accommodation and food. Being resident, they may help promote off-peak tourism.
Where can I see them?
The release enclosure site in Somerset will not be accessible to the public as the birds are very prone to disturbance. Once the birds have left this enclosure, however, they could turn up anywhere in the Levels and Moors and perhaps even further afield.
Some areas of supplementary feeding may be trialled in the first few winters in order for the birds to establish themselves in Somerset and these areas may prove good sites for viewing cranes.
For the time being, the best place to see crane chicks and to get up close to the birds is via the Crane School at WWT Slimbridge.