The first crane chick has fledged at the National Trust's oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen.
Standing at 4ft (1.2 metres), the common crane is Britain’s tallest bird, and for the first time in potentially 500 years, a pair began breeding on Wicken Fen in 2019.
The same pair has nested on Wicken Fen for the last six years, and, although their eggs have usually hatched, this is the first time a chick has been successfully reared.
Notoriously illusive during their breeding season, cranes nest in remote, wet areas, protected from predators and well away from public paths.
Photo credit: Ajay Tegala
Lizzie Bruce, Site Manager at Welney Wetlands Trust:
"We recently had 22 cranes, including 8 juveniles, making use of our restored wetland on Lady Fen.
"Seeing cranes at Welney, and the Ouse Washes, which have fledged from Wicken Fen and other sites in the Fens, shows how important it is that a network of suitable habitats is available for them."
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