Over the past couple of weekends, I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time watching a pair of Common Cranes at Willow Tree Fen in Lincolnshire—an experience made all the better by having my friend Matt alongside, who’s currently volunteering on site.
We’d been watching the pair closely and began to notice a subtle but clear change in behaviour over the weekend. The adults were a little more alert, a little more cautious, and something just felt different. We allowed ourselves to hope—maybe the chicks had hatched.
Yesterday afternoon, Matt confirmed it: two tiny Common Crane chicks, fresh out of the nest and following their parents through the grass.
I couldn’t get there straight away, but after work this evening, I finally made it back—and what a relief to see both chicks safe and visible, sticking close to their towering parents. They could so easily have remained hidden in the tall vegetation, but luck was on our side.
Amy and I were treated to some truly special views as these tiny, ginger-fluffed chicks waddled clumsily around the feet of the adult cranes. Seeing the size contrast in real life is always a bit surreal—these tiny things being guided and protected by such elegant, tall birds.
It’s moments like this that really stay with you. Willow Tree Fen continues to deliver unforgettable wildlife experiences, and the success of this crane pair is a huge credit to the habitat and care being put into the site.
Fingers crossed these little ones stay safe as they grow. I’ll definitely be checking back in over the coming weeks.
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