THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
COMMON CRANE - Grus grus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Common Crane is also known as Eurasian Crane and is a bird of the family Gruidae. It is a long distance migrant wintering in Africa found south to Morocco and Ethiopia, southern Europe and southern Asia south to northern India and eastern China. It is omnivorous eating leaves, roots and berries including notably the cranberry, (which is probably named after the species), insects, small birds and mammals.
There have been eight Common Cranes reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
2000: (2)
Two were noted on January 3rd over Severn Beach. They were seen in flight heading low eastwards and watched heading inland where they were lost to view. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
2003: (5)
On February 25th a presumed family party of five were located in stubble field at Tortworth. The group consisted of two adults and three sub adults and were present in the area until March 2nd.
Common Crane at Tortworth. February 2003. © Gary Thoburn.
2008: (1)
A presumed Common Crane was seen at Oldbury Power Station on May 4th from Lagoon II at around 16:00 flying north-east before being lost to view just seconds later.