A British bird, once considered so delicious that it was nearly hunted to extinction 500 years ago, is making a comeback.
Once widespread in the UK, cranes were heavily hunted until the Elizabethan era, and particularly during the medieval period; at a Christmas banquet in York, King Henry III and his court are said to have feasted on 115 cranes.
But now, thanks to decades of conservation work, we could be seeing a lot more of the common crane.
The RSPB recently announced a "record-breaking year" for cranes, the UK's tallest birds, with 30 breeding pairs recorded across the conservation charity's reserves in 2024 – a 20% increase from the 25 pairs spotted in the previous year.
The milestone was revealed through the charity’s annual breeding survey, which covers more than 200 nature reserves the RSPB maintains across the country. The bird and nature conservation charity highlighted West Sedgemoor, Ham Wall, and Greylake in Somerset as key crane hotspots of last year's survey.
Also, after having a handful of nesting pairs under observation for more than a decade, scientists can now confidently say the species is re-established in Scotland after vanishing 500 years ago.
The loss of wetlands to agriculture is also widely recognised as an exacerbating factor for the the loss of the UK's crane population. By the 1600s, the tall birds had vanished completely from the British landscape.
It wasn’t until 1979 that cranes returned, nesting in the Norfolk Broads and marking the beginning of a slow but steady recovery.
Today, thanks to conservation efforts, the UK’s total crane population has risen to around 80 breeding pairs, according to the latest figures published by the RSPB.
Dave Rogers, Site Manager of the RSPB Lakenheath Fen reserve in Suffolk, said: "It is fantastic to see crane numbers increasing on RSPB nature reserves – thanks to the hard work of staff to create safe havens for this iconic species.
"The growing crane population shows effective conservation by organisations, landowners and volunteers in action. It is a shining example that nature can thrive when given a chance."
But cranes aren’t the only species to benefit. "Wetlands are incredible places for nature. These precious habitats play a crucial role in supporting countless species. The network of wetlands also combats climate change by locking away carbon and helping to reduce the risk of flooding," Dave added
"We are urging policymakers and government to recognise the critical role of wetlands, not only for wildlife, but also for combating the nature and climate emergency.”
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Identify and learn about what you're seeing with this handy guide to British garden birds.
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
