Common Cranes in France
Migration and Wintering
2006-2007

Migration post-nuptiale 2006      Wintering 2006-2007        2007 prenuptial migration

 2007 prenuptial migration

First small wave
(13.02.07 – 24.02.07)

The first substantial departures of cranes wintering in the Aquitaine were recorded on Feb. 13^th 2007 and lasted 12 days, during which, movements were more or less concentrated. This was particularly the case between Feb. 17^th and 20^th when 27 departments supplied us with relevant data. From Feb. 17^th onwards, more than 3,000 cranes left the Aquitaine and were seen over the Charente (16) and in the Vienne (86). On the following day, 1,600 birds flew over the Nièvre (58) and 1,000 arrived on the Lachaussée site (55). At the same time, 200 cranes landed on agricultural land in the Indre-et-Loire (37). Flights continued on Feb.19^th with 2,600 individuals arriving in the Charente (16). Numbers decreased on Feb. 20^th, whereas migration continued in Belgium, Germany and Luxemburg. This initial “Spring” movement amounted to about 15,000 cranes.
 

Spain: mass departure for France!
(27.02.07 – 06.03.07)
 

The big day for leave-taking was without doubt Feb. 27^th when 3,000 cranes left the Gallocanta region and 15,000 from the Sotonera area. These birds soon crossed over to France: 10,000 at high altitude over the Pyrenees (2,500 – 3,000 metres) and then over the entire south-west: the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), the Gers (32), the Tarn-et-Garonne (82), the Lot-et-Garonne (47), the Lot (46), the Dordogne (24) and the Gironde (33). Most birds were seen between 15.00 and 19.00 hours. The following day, while arrivals from Spain continued apace, birds were filling the sky over central France: 4,500 in the Allier (03) and 6,000 in the Nièvre (58); over the north-east (several thousand in the Aube (10)) and in Germany (1,200 birds in the Hesse region during the afternoon). Migration continued to intensify with large “supplies” coming in from Spain (38,000 from Gallocanta on March 1^st). Numbers recorded in some departments were extremely high on March 2^nd: 11,700 in the Indre (36), 2,000 in the Cher (18) and between 20,000 and 30.000 in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64). Germany was also involved with about 16,000 birds in the space of 2 hours and 24,000 on the following day comprising 214 flights! On March 4^th, numbers were still very high: at least 15,000 in the Vienne (86) and more than 24,000 in the Charente (16). On March 15^th, the first cranes arrived in Sweden. Between March 6^th and 11^th, numbers had started to decrease. The Puydarrieux site (65) was deserted on March 9^th and on March 11^th, 2,100 birds flew over the Landes (40), while 97 spent a happy day on the beach at Port-la-Nouvelle (11). On the same day, there remained only 3 individuals in Cousseau (33). For all that, the movement had not come to an end, since there were still 5,000 migrant cranes in the Cher (18) on March 12^th. At the close of this impressive migration, there still remained 5,650 birds on the Der lake (51/52) on March 13^th. During this period, a total of 75,000 cranes were observed in 48 departments.
 

Map 4: Total number of Common Cranes counted
between February 27^th and March 6^th 2007

Migration “slowdown”
(11.03.07 – 19.03.07)
 

This was comparatively quiet period, since many birds had already returned to Germany and Scandinavia. Few departments were involved (fewer than 300 cranes in the space of a day). On March 16^th, 50 birds flew over Paris (75) and 120 were seen over Seine-Saint-Denis (93). Total numbers amounted to 5,000.

Final movements & close of migration
 (20.03.07 – 02.04.07)
 

The last migratory flights took place during this relatively quiet period. Worth noting, a flock of 115 cranes over the Pyrénées-Orientales (66) and 2 birds seen in the Eure (27) on March 24^th. On the following day, 66 cranes flew over the Aude in the afternoon and on March 27^th, a flock was spotted in the Aisne (02). Another was seen in the Jura (39) on March 31st, while on April 1^st, 75 birds were still present on wintering sites located between the Cher (18) and the Allier (03).

Late departures & summer residents
(03.04.07 – 26.05.07)

Each year, a number of “easygoing” cranes are recorded late in the season. In addition, there are birds which remain throughout the summer months in France. Principal migrants in this category are as follow: 97 in the Marne (51) on April 8^th, 75 in the Aisne (02) on April 9^th, 54 in the Puy-de-Dôme (63) on April 16^th and 13 in the Oise (60) on April 17^th. Only 13 birds were counted on the Der lake (51/52) on April 18^th and 7 on April 25th. The latest data recorded was in the Aisne (02) on May 26^th.

Estimated bird population: 2006-2007 overview

An accurate assessment of the crane population in western Europe depends on the number of birds recorded in France during postnuptial migration (204,000) to which must be added the number of cranes wintering Germany (14,000). Therefore, the west European population may be estimated at 218,000. For the record, population figures amounted to 228,000 cranes in 2005-2006.

Bird counts carried out by the French Crane Network confirm a drop in numbers. However, care must be taken when analysing this data, since following an increase in population, it is becoming extremely difficult to make an exhaustive follow-up of crane migration. Data obtained during the next season will no doubt provide additional information.

Nesting sites

A specific follow-up of nesting-site sectors in the Lorraine provided fresh data during Spring 2007, confirming the existence of a group of 3-4 pairs of cranes (3 certain, 1 possible), a second group of 3 pairs (1 certain, 2 possible) and probably 1 pair on another suitable site. In fact, these were minimal findings, judging by a number of other documented observations.
 

Common Crane populations in western Europe between 1977 and 2006

Migration 2006-2007 in Champagne-Ardenne

Migration in Champagne-Ardenne was marked by relatively high numbers on the Der lake throughout the Autumn migration season as illustrated in the diagram below. Nevertheless, a record low was registered at the end of October with less than 1,000 cranes (a record dating back 15 years!) However, numbers on the Temple lake were very high: 3,000 on Nov. 8^th, with 2,000 birds still present at the beginning of December. Highest numbers recorded on the Der lake during the Spring were particularly low: 8,700 cranes during the first fortnight in March.
The depleted numbers bear witness to the fact that weather conditions were very favourable during this period, enabling the cranes to continue their migration without stopping in Champagne. Those landing in the region remained for only a short time. La Ferme aux Grues (the Crane Farm) in the Champagne wetlands, once again played an important part in the endeavour to reduce damage to farmlands, by providing food supplies. On Feb. 20^th, 1,200 cranes were feeding there with similar numbers on March 18th.
 

Wintering Common Crane populations on the Der-Chantecoq lake (51/52) during the 2006-2007 migratory season: highest figures recorded per 10-day period (LPO and ONCFS counts)

Clara: the Crane's Journey

Not all birds flying in a V-formation are cranes.
In the following game, you can test your knowledge of birds. Match the silhouettes with the bird species:

The French Common Crane Network

Administered by the Champagne-Ardenne branch of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), the French Common Crane Network incorporates the various organizations and associations involved in some way with the Common Crane.

Their activities are diverse:
- to forecast migratory flights
- to inform the public and media
- to carry out bird counts
- to locate ringed birds
- to plot migratory routes
- to take part in European working groups dealing with the Common Crane (ECWG)

Those actively involved in the Network are as follow:

ALEPE, ANN, AOMSL, Association des Amis de la Réserve d’Arjuzanx, Berry Nature Environnement, CEEP, Charente Nature, CO Gard, COL, CSL, Eure-et-Loir Nature, GEOB, GEOR, GODS, GONm, GOR, Indre Nature, Les Naturalistes Orléanais, Limousin Nature Environnement, Loir-et-Cher Nature, LPO Aisne, LPO Alsace, LPO Anjou, LPO Aquitaine, LPO Aude, LPO Auvergne, LPO Champagne-Ardenne, LPO Charente-Maritime, LPO Cher, LPO France, LPO Franche-Comté, LPO Haute-Savoie, LPO Loire, LPO Loire-Atlantique, LPO PACA, LPO Sarthe, LPO Tarn, LPO Touraine, LPO Vendée, LPO Vienne, LPO Yonne, Mayenne Nature Environnement, Nature Midi-Pyrénées, OCL, Oiseaux-Nature, ONCFS délégation régionale nord-est, ONCFS / RNCFS du Lac du Der-Chantecoq, Parc ornithologique du Teich, Picardie Nature, PNR des Landes de Gascogne, ReNArd, Réserve de Puydarrieux, Réserve d’Arjuzanx, Réserve Naturelle de la Forêt d’Orient, Réserve Naturelle de l’Etang de Cousseau, la Route des Grues, SEPOL, SOBA Nature Nièvre.
 

Map 5: Number of days’observation of Common Cranes
per department during the 2006-2007 migratory season (1-9 days / more than 10 days)

Design: Aurélien DESCHATRES, Emmanuel LE ROY
Photos: Thomas AKREMANN
Proof-reading and additional informations: Sébastien MERLE, Alain SALVI
Translator: Lyn GEOFFROY-SOUTHWELL

LPO Champagne-Ardenne
Der Nature
Ferme des Grands Parts
D 13
51290 OUTINES
Tel : 03.26.72.54.47 Fax : 03.26.72.54.30

The compilation of this synthesis was made possible thanks to the financial assistance provided by the Champagne-Ardenne region, the Regional Department for the Environment (DIREN) Champagne-Ardenne and the Grands Lacs de Seine Interdepartmental Institution (IIBRBS)

Migration post-nuptiale 2006      Wintering 2006-2007        2007 prenuptial migration