Monday 22 October 2018

The Cranes are Flying.



There are few more emotional sights in nature than Cranes flying South for Winter. The above was last Saturday.

They fly very high and very slowly. Their soulful cries announce their passing, and as soon as we hear them, we look up and wave goodbye.

Just a few days ago I also saw a small group of Storks flying over. They fly much faster, and remain quiet.

So, they've had enough of Europe for another year. They go down to Morocco, or further South, then return in Spring as the weather begins to warm. 

It won't be long before we start lighting fires; our version of 'flying South'.



31 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful sight. How special to be able to see this every year.

    cheers, parsnip and badger

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    1. I can't really explain why, but it's always an extremely emotional sight.

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  2. Some of them come here, It is sad and happy at the same time.

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    1. We wave at them and wish them a safe journey. In Spring we wave again, and welcome them back.

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  3. Replies
    1. You can hear them coming minutes before they appear. Wonderful.

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  4. I've only seen a flight of honking geese in that v formation once, in England. Never forgotten sight and sound.
    I saw one line stork a month ago which was most unusual for this area though they must pass close by when leaving northern Greece.
    Marvellous

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    1. The few Storks we saw flying over here were the first we'd seen. Not as spectacular as the Cranes, but nice to see.

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  5. Wonderful and a bit sad. I doubt I shall ever see that sight again.

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    1. We usually only see a few lots going over. This one was relatively small.

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  6. We saw a skein, or wedge, of geese go across the sky in the distance yesterday afternoon. A wonderful sight and one for Sue to look out for over Lincs.

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    Replies
    1. Every area has its own spectacle. We occasionally see Ducks flying in formation. Lots of Egrets here at the moment, but I think they are resident.

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    2. We who live near The Wash here in the UK are truly very lucky.

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  7. I saw a pair of swans flying high overhead this morning. They were heading South too.

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    Replies
    1. We've just this minute seen another 4 Storks heading due South.

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  8. Such a beautiful sight Cro, and, as you say, the first real sign that winter is on its way

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  9. I'm very used to seeing Canada Geese flying overhead. They are very noisy, you can't miss them, and always in V formation at this time of year. Now I have learned that other birds also fly in a V. I had no idea that cranes and storks did that, as I've only seen solitary cranes flying. -Jenn

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    1. Cranes always fly in a V formation, but the Storks are a bit more 'relaxed'.

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  10. I love seeing skeins of geese flying over on their way south. Such a wonderful sight. How amazing birds are!

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    1. And they always know exactly where to go. I wish I could say the same.

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  11. They are pretty amazing. I follow a website that shows bird summer and winter migration here. We have had many geese fly over in formation. In Sept., we have ruby throated hummingbirds heading south. They become markers of the seasons.

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    1. Nothing as exotic as Ruby Throated Hummingbirds over here. I think our most beautiful resident bird is the Hoopoe, but I didn't see any this year.

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  12. Our English cranes in Somerset see no need to leave the levels, they disdain the tripper mentality of their European cousins.

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    1. They're probably addicted to traffic fumes. Hooked on Somerset.

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  13. We get to see many of those formations in our sky. However, it does not mean the Canadian geese that we have here are flying south anymore. According to those that know, they are losing their migratory habits and we are overpopulated with them. Even they are getting lazy.

    Heck, if I had wings, or a ticket to anywhere, I would go to a warmer, sunnier climate during the dark cold months.

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    1. Canada Geese are also very polluting. They can be a menace. I don't think they make good eating either.

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  14. Just seen three Vs forming into one large V over us. They were all shouting to each other to keep up!
    Flying to the SW at 17.30 Dordogne Time.

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    1. We kept an eye out; they must have taken a slight diversion.

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  15. We were in Morayshire last weekend...apparently there were more geese flying than for many years...skein after skein..like with the cranes, a sight and sound that gets to the heart

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    1. It does, doesn't it. It still puzzles me why I find it so emotional.

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