Common Crane (Grus grus)
Key Findings
- Common crane (Grus grus) is an uncommon migrant with small numbers now breeding since 2012.
- These are large birds that favour wetlands and farmland that became extinct in Great Britain in the the 18th Centaury. In the modern era Cranes were first recorded breeding in Norfolk in 1981 and their population has gradually increase, thanks in part to reintroductions with at least 30 pairs now breeding regularly.
- Common crane started breeding in the North East of Scotland in 2011 and have gradually increased in numbers and success. This area now accounts for 10% of the British population. Unusually this has been a natural colonisation.
- The major limiting factor to the increase in the local population has been predation by foxes.
Common crane @ianhaywildlife
Common crane peak count and breeding
Notes
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Status
Live. Next update due 06/11/25
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