Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Cranes. They are starting their migration to their winter homes in Spain. The migration cuts right across France from NE to SW. They are quite a sight if you are lucky enough to live under their flight path (which I am). Literally thousands flying in several 'V' formations, honking away. Last year they stopped mid-flight, circling above our house, maybe waiting for the stragglers to catch up to to get their bearings. When you see them you know that autumn us here, but equally in the Spring when they are on their way back up to Scandanavia it a joyous sight as Spring has arrived!They have already been spotted at Seine et Marne. If you want to see if they are approaching your area you can track them on this websitehttp://champagne-ardenne.lpo.fr/grues/point_sur_la_migration.htm# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Thanks for the information, it will be interesting to "follow" the cranes progress and with any luck get the chance to see some. I was completely unaware of the existence of the mapping and logging of information for the cranes online. We live on one of the 2 "sub" flight paths for many migratory birds about 100km inland from La Rochelle on the west coast where vast numbers of birds are already starting to pass through. It may be of general assistance to know that cranes tend to fly in V formations or long lines - Storks in loose flocks. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Has anyone been following the migration and more to the point has anyone observed any Cranes in their region? A small flock was seen passing overhead by some friends of ours nearby ( Vienne 86 ) but unfortunately I haven't seen any, probably due to working inside at the moment. I look all the time early in the morning driving to work, but just lots of lapwings arriving to overwinter.Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 I think I may have seen about 15 flying in a SW direction over Angers (49) on Monday. Speed, height and formation were about correct, though cannot be sure.Very interesting site.I will keep my eyes open.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie Posted October 20, 2005 Author Share Posted October 20, 2005 Yes, I have been following the website daily. I have seen 4 seperate vols go over. It was very exciting. They always do go over us, Spring and Autumn. This year I did actually report on the website mentioned above - so where you see sightings in the Dordogne, that was me!! I tend to hear them first then run out of the house or around the garden until I spot them, they have a very distinctive call like a short honk and rarely fly silently.BTW Chris - I like your website, very informative especially with the additional link to the Grues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 That's very interesting Fantine. I think I may have seen some, not recently, but in the past, and always thought they were geese. It is the honk you mention and now the picture on the site with the long neck out which makes me think it could have been cranes. When you see them go over, how many (about) are there at a time? Comment la reconnaître ?OieCormoranHéron cendréGrue cendréePlus petite que la grue, les pattes ne sont pas visiblesPlus petit, avec un battement d'ailes plus rapideRemarquez le cou repliéCou tendu, pattes tenduesLeurs cris, "GROU GROU", ne trompent pas. Au vol, les grues sont caractérisées par un grand cou et des grandes pattes dépassant du corps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianpmills Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 I live in the eastern Haute Vienne. We had a dozen or so large waves come over on Monday - probably 2,000 or so birds in total and some smaller waves in the last couple of days. They always seem to pass over us late afternoon. Last year it got very cold just after they left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie Posted October 20, 2005 Author Share Posted October 20, 2005 In the first flight that went over there were 60-80 in v formation. The second and third about 100 each then the fourth flight was much smaller, probably about 30 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 It's a shame, but we can't see your picture Adrian. Please see under Bug thread, also under Wildlife, how to do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianpmills Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Second attempt after registering to village photos - it is a very poor quality version of the original. Please let me know if visible. There are about 150 birds in this wave: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 No, Adrian, still can't see it, it's very frustrating. Perhaps admin could put a sticky of "how to post a photo". On your village photos, copy the url of the photo, then in the instert a photo thing on here you copy it into the "source de l'image" box (ctrl v). If you can't do it, you can send it to me and I'll try if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianpmills Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Final attempt at posting the photo before I thump the computer and have a beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Wonderful ! Ignore my answer to your PM Adrian, you've done it ! I answered you before seeing this. Bravo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Great photo Adrian, thanks for posting it!Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daw Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 HiI live in south Indre 36 (Ste Severe)We have seen what must be now around 1000 maybe more fly over in the last 3 days. We are right on the flight path. Its an amazing site and the sound is enchanting. It's one of those sounds that could go on a "tranquillity" CD!They are generally all flying the same line, but yesterday a whole bunch hung around circling waiting for stragglers, then bizarrly they all flew North West! Perhaps they know something we don't.Debs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mpprh Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Hijust to note that many of these birds stop for a rest here in Languedoc before departing for N Africa.The Heron Cendre has noted the change in the climate and increasing numbers winter here. And some love Languedoc so much that they are staying here year round to raise chicks.A bit more about local bird life here : http://www.conservatoire-du-littoral.fr/front/process/Content.asp?rub=8&rubec=101&site=1968 Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benson Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 (La Creuse) This morning at 6.30am we had a second phase of cranes flying overhead (the first being back in Oct) Better than an alarm clock!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 South Deux-Sèvres two days ago, I saw some large birds fly over, but couldn't say if they were cranes as they were too high. They were flying in V formation, "talking" to each other and heading south.Fantine what are you doing these days, polishing the parquet (that's fantastic!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daw Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yesterday and day before, V formations over Urciers (36) flying SSW (I think - not having a compass!)And once last week, quite late at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 "Fantine what are you doing these days, polishing the parquet (that's fantastic!)."I was bored (already) with my mug-shot. Cute isn't he. The nearest I'll get at the moment to having a real one (OH says no, non, niet, nay) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 We are at 450ft in 24 near Perigueux - the last lot of cranes came over on Friday.Saturday morning there was a single lost one at the bottom of our lane. Later that day we saw the crane again in someones ornamental pond - it looked tired but had a cheeky looking grin.It was smaller than the herons that gather in a clearing in the forest nearby - sometimes there are up to eight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 If anyone has been following the migration from time to time, the last couple of days have seen a few northward flights in the east, although the continuing cold will probably keep this on hold. This is the beginning of the pre nuptial migration "back up north". It may not seem like it, but spring is just around the corner.http://champagne-ardenne.lpo.fr/grues/point_sur_la_migration.htm Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Kenny the Crane is still here and has survived some cold weather - I hope this snow causes him few problems. We have had about 5 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 ... and where are you Mr. Dog... location location, which département is that?It only seems five minutes ago we were talking about them coming down, they can't already be going back [:O]Edit : Sorry Dog, I have just seen further above that you are 450ft 24 near Perigueux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 [quote user="Christine Animal"]... and where are you Mr. Dog... location location, which département is that?It only seems five minutes ago we were talking about them coming down, they can't already be going back [:O]Edit : Sorry Dog, I have just seen further above that you are 450ft 24 near Perigueux.[/quote]Mr Dog,Go into your profile and update your location there, then we can see each time you post where you are [;)]It's great news that Spring is around the corner. It always seems to us that 1st March and it is like someone flicks a switch - yipee. Will watch out for the Grues - I love seeing the first northerly flight, I get very excited about it [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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