Moulting Cranes
Cranes
This is the time of year when some of the non breeding Cranes start to moult. They become completely flightless for around 5 weeks as they moult and regrow there flight and tail feathers. Other feather groups will continue to moult over the following few months in order to be back in tiptop condition for the winter. This is a very energy demanding and stress full time and it is when most of the Great Crane Project birds that have died have been lost. They seek out quiet areas with few people or dogs around, ideally with tall grass or marshy habitats that are easy for them to hide in. Wet refuges like ditches and reeded channels are particularly important in providing a safety from predators. they also need to be able to move through the landscape from field to field especially to avoid agricultural activity. Watch out for these skulking individuals from the Kingfisher Hide, around the edges of the field and in the Tack Piece from the Martin Smith Hide.
Rushy
Avocet 9ad and 3 Juvs
Mediterranean Gull 1 ist summer (near full black hood)
Gadwall 9
Tack Piece
Crane 1 (moulting bird)
Barnacle Goose 25
Avocet 4 Ad 5 Juvs
Little Egret 2
Cettis 1
South Lake
Avocet 40+ ad at least 9 young.
Oystercatchwer 3
Great Crested Grebe 1
Little Grebe 2
Cettis 1
Hogarth Hide
Crane 1 incubating.
Black Tailed Godwit 101
Avocet 7
Zeiss Hide
Crane 1
Gadwall 37
Shoveler 6
Lapwing 8
South Finger
Crane 2
Cuckoo 1
Cettis 2
Cattle Egret
Two with cattle to south of approach road.
