Because what about the Drenthe breeding pairs that we are so proud of? Are they also threatened by the H5N1 outbreak?
Crane expert Herman Feenstra, who has been following the birds around the Fochteloërveen for decades, says that the chance of contamination is “not that great, but certainly possible”. He mainly points to factors such as food availability, the weather and disruption by recreationists: “Stay away from the countryside and leave the geese, swans and cranes alone as much as possible. Avoid unnecessary movements.”
René Oosterhuis of Het Drentse Landschap also sees no direct threat at the moment. “Sick birds are soon no longer able to fly long distances. The chance that infected animals from Germany will arrive here is therefore small.” According to him, it also only concerns a limited number of birds that commute between the Netherlands and Germany.
Bird Protection Netherlands keeps the same approach. Protector Timo Roeke mentions various scenarios: a new outbreak in the spring, infections during migration, or a relatively quiet season. “It remains difficult to predict.”
According to the experts, there has so far been no signal in Drenthe that local cranes are sick. Feenstra sees “no reports of infection or death yet”. That image is confirmed by Oosterhuis.
The Dutch Wildlife Health Center (DWHC), which carries out national monitoring, reports that wild birds tested positive for bird flu in the region in November and December 2025. This means that cranes in those same areas are theoretically at risk, but there is no evidence that they have been affected so far. DWHC emphasizes that there is no specific monitoring plan for cranes, but that infections are always monitored through reports and research.
During autumn migration, cranes usually fly alone over the Netherlands, without landing. Only exceptional circumstances such as this year’s storm, which Nature Today previously reported, can cause birds to deviate from their route. In October, one infected crane was found in Zundert, but according to DWHC it cannot be determined where exactly the infection originated.
What about the breeding pairs we have here? Are these birds less vulnerable than large groups? All experts involved are remarkably unanimous on this: yes. Both Feenstra, Oosterhuis and the Bird Protection Association explain that local couples in Drenthe live much more isolated than the huge groups in Germany. Oosterhuis: “The cranes that occupy their breeding area as a pair all year round come into less contact with other birds. The risk of infection is therefore much smaller.”
Roeke describes cranes in breeding areas as “almost ghosts”, they move so carefully as soon as an egg is laid. Infection mainly occurs at the large gathering places during spring and autumn migration, where thousands of birds rest and sleep at the same time in low water. That is the situation that led to mass death in Germany.
The prospects for the Drenthe crane population currently appear positive. Oosterhuis: “Cranes are having a great time in Drenthe, the population is growing and they are having plenty of young.” If there is a relapse, nature restoration can play a mitigating role, according to the Nature & Landscape Policy Officer.
Bird protector Roeke points out that developments in Germany can have an effect on birds in Drenthe. If German populations are severely affected, new territories will become available there, which could lead to some Drenthe cranes temporarily moving away. This does not necessarily endanger the Drenthe population, but shifts are possible.
Crane expert Feenstra remains vigilant: “A major outbreak would be a tragedy. We will see what effect this has on our small population.” Only in the spring, when the breeding pairs return, will it become clear whether all known birds have returned.
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