An update on the first pair of Common Cranes ever to nest in Belgium.
I recently mentioned that Common Cranes had successfully bred in Belgium. This is a first for Belgium, certainly for as long as records have been kept anyway.
The two “cranelings” hatched in the Valley of the Zwarte Beek in the province of Limburg in spring 2021. The twins were named Gru & Dru, after their Latin name (Grus grus) and the long-legged twins from the animated film ‘Despicable Me’.
A close eye was kept on their development. The first few days were particularly nail-biting and nerve-racking for the Natuurpunt team of observers. Small fluffy chicks would be a tasty morsel for all kinds of predators.
But they made it through those critical first weeks, grew, and eventually tried out their wings. The short video below gives a lovely summary of the first few months of Gru and Dru’s lives in Belgium.
This success is due largely to the outstanding and intensive nature management in the valley area and is a huge boost for nature conservation throughout Flanders.
Photo and video © Wim Dirckx.
Meanwhile, Genevra from Flanders Battlefield Tour saw my tweet and added a video of two Grey Crowned Cranes that she saw last year in West Flanders:
Beautiful.. straight off …no equivalent of human toddlers !
Ha, you’re right Elaine. And probably no boomerang kids returning to nest with Ma and Pa next year!
That’s wonderful news, and what a lovely video. Long may they prosper! Do you know if it’s possible to visit this valley in Limburg? I haven’t visited Limburg much at all, so if you have any tips, I’d love to hear them. Also I wonder how the wolves are doing, I heard they live in Limburg province too.
I will add some info on this valley Sel, and how to visit it, to the blog. Thanks for your suggestion/question. And a wolves update coming soon!
That would be great, thank you!
Yeah! Go Gru and Dru! ? Wonderful uplifting video and and story! Thank you for sharing, Denzil!
Yes Annika it’s good to hear positive stories about biodiversity from time to time!
Cuteness overload!
It could have been cuter. I could have included a photo of me.
True.
What fantastic news – fingers crossed to more successful years ahead
Yes it will interesting to see what happens in 2022 Becky.
What a lovely way to start a Sunday morning. Delightful video.
Denzil, this is an absolute jolt of…well, what’s the opposite of despicable? Wonderful. Seeing those cute but awkward-looking kids survive & take off in graceful flight is a real kick, pure happiness.
I agree Robert. A feelgood movie.
A great success! Now off to Africa. 🙂
And hopefully back next year.
The two “cranelings” are adorable 🙂
How fabulous! We had a load of baby flamingos here this summer, attributed to the lack of tourists stomping over their breeding grounds.
Exceedingly Pretty in Pink, I’m sure Jo.
Fluffy brown to begin with, Denzil ??
What a lovely video. Do the birds migrate elsewhere or will they now stay in this area?
They’ll be off to the south of Spain or Portugal for the winter Carol, but hopefully back next year.
Perhaps they’ll bring some friends with them.
Congratulations to all involved (especially Mama Stork) :). And thanks for sharing this good news!
Thanks Henry, I will convey your best wishes
I’ve never seen cranes in my life. Only storks are here, and so many ducks. These little cranes are lovely
You are right, Ms Queen