At a quarter past five, forest ranger Harm Blom received a very enthusiastic app on Wednesday evening: ’62 cranes spotted on the ground!’ “I immediately closed my laptop and drove there. It doesn’t happen often that they stop in the Netherlands, but that they go aground in the west with such a large group and spend the night… That’s really very special!”
“In the Biesbosch we have an app group for bird lovers and forest rangers,” says Harm. “I was still emailing at ten past five and then the app came in.”
“These beasts have buffed in the air to get through Belgium. They were just gone.”
A bird watcher discovered the spectacularly large group in the afternoon. Together with other forest rangers and a number of bird watchers, he immediately went for it. “And then you arrive there and see such beautiful, beautiful birds. That was really enjoyable. It is really unique for the Biesbosch.”
“The crane migration is in full swing. The migration period is always at the end of February and the first days of March. Then they fly en masse to the north from the wintering grounds in Spain and France, via Germany and the Ardennes.” The cranes are on their way to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Poland and Germany.
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The fact that the cranes stop in the Netherlands, and then also in the west of the country, is unique, according to the forester. “In unusual weather situations, they can sometimes get off course. The cold wind, rain or snow stopped them. They keep them on the ground. These beasts have buffed in the air to get through Belgium. They were just exhausted.”
“This morning at a quarter past seven they flew up with a beautiful call.”
“They sat down and slept like chickens: with their heads in their feathers. They were just tired of the snow and the headwind. They were cleaning, sleeping and drinking. Drinking a lot.” According to Harm, the sanctuary in the Biesbosch is the perfect location for cranes. “They were in the Noordwaard. That is open, with shallow water and absolute peace.”
The cranes have now flown again. “This morning at a quarter past seven, when colleagues and birdwatchers were watching, they flew up with a beautiful call.” The group flew to South Holland, but with these weather conditions and their flight speed, they could be in Germany this afternoon.”
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Harm is overjoyed with the arrival of the cranes. I’m quite a fan. Feel free to call me one cranophile,” he laughs. “It sticks to me. As a little boy I was once surprised in the west by a group that flew over. I’ve been sold ever since.”
Last Sunday the forester was still in Limburg to spot cranes. “They are beautiful, impressive birds. They can fly very well and have enormous stamina.”