In the Peel, on the border of Brabant and Limburg, a young crane bird has recently been flying around for the first time in history. The crane has been permanently housed in the Peel since 2015, but breeding success has not yet been achieved.
“We were very surprised by the birth,” says forester Rick Verrijt. “In the spring, the first couples come to the Mariapeel on the Limburg side and start exploring the area. But soon after, we saw that they were making a nest.”
One of the two boys did not survive. The other is doing well. Together with his parents, he now flies throughout Peel.
‘Very unique’
Cranes are mainly found in the north of the Netherlands. “The Fochteloërveen nature reserve on the border of Friesland and Drenthe is a real hotspot. Every year there are about seven couples that can produce young. It is unique that it is finally happening in the south of the country.”
Verrijt finds the crane a special appearance. “It is already a very striking animal to see. And when they fly over you can recognize them by the beautiful trumpet sound they make.”
The bird likes raised bogs and swamps. The forester is therefore proud that the crane has chosen the Mariapeel as a breeding area. “This indicates that we are on the right track. In the Peel we are working hard to make the area swampy and restore raised moors.”
Areas closed to the public
Due to the presence of the crane young, Staatsbosbeheer has closed some areas in the Mariapeel to the public. “Cranes are very sensitive to disturbance. If people walk through this area, the bird immediately flies further into the forest. Any kind of disturbance can be disastrous for the young.”
Cranes also make a lot of noise, Omroep Brabant previously reported: