Finnish Focus On...Common Crane

Dinosaurs. They do exist. 

Common Crane is one of those species which epitomizes Finland, both visually and vocally.

On my first visit to Finland, in summer, over 5 years ago, the sound of this species captivated me.

Long summer evenings, spent enjoying good food, sauna and swimming, and listening to these beasts, Kruuurking and echoing over the forests.

Everything about this species is amazing, from their size and presence, to their migratory ability, and I have often enjoyed visiting various staging grounds throughout Europe over the years, encountering massive flocks as the move over they course of the year.

 

Spring is when we appreciate Cranes most I think. After a long winter, they come as a breath of fresh air, and there is a massive rush when you come across that first one in March, stood in a snowy field wondering what the hell it's doing here.

 

Baby Cranes are a real treat in mid summer, giant orange fluff balls roaming the Grasslands and Marshes, and looking even more dino-like than their parents.

 

 

Adults in mid-summer can be a bit of a pain however, their habit of soaring at great height as they head off foraging, providing potential confusion with White Stork and raptors, right in the season when you are looking for those species.

Up close, their plumage has a lot more intricate detail to it, with fine feather fringing on the wing coverts and those bushy tail feathers. 

 

Autumn sees huge flocks gather at traditional sites as they prepare for the long journey south and it is breath taking to see these immense numbers appear on long lines on the horizon.

Watching Cranes in the air is a privilege. When doing so you must constantly think about the physics and biology of what you are seeing. A bird, over a meter tall and with a near 2.5 meter wingspan, but weighing just 6 kilos, using that massive wing surface area to just...float. They literally float.

Misty autumn mornings, watching small families of Cranes is truly endearing. Orange headed juveniles constantly wheeze and whistle to maintain contact with their parents who cautiously guide them away from any potential threat. On such misty days, their calls seem to echo even louder, creating a primeval atmosphere which is quintessentially Finnish.