Crane in Kent? Never seen one in the area before... (1 Viewer)

[catinwaiting]

HI

I am a keen beginner in bird watching and have just joined this site today, mainly because I have just seen a huge bird on the roof of the house opposite and I can't quite believe it was there.

It looked like a crane - is that right? Must have been around 4 ft tall, huge wingspan, a crest on its head, long neck, grey and black...

I'm probably being a bit over excited about something quite common place but I have never seen one flying wild. Is this common place?

Realise I may not be posting this in the right forum but it seemed rare to me

Thanks

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Welcome to BirdForum. I think from your description you're more likely to have seen a Grey Heron, which is a much commoner bird than a Crane.

 

[catinwaiting]

Hi Andrew Thanks for responding but that's just it, I have seen many herons in the past and this just wasn't a heron. I'm pretty sure it was a crane! When it flew off, its neck was straight.

Do cranes live wild in the UK would you know?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Andrew Thanks for responding but that's just it, I have seen many herons in the past and this just wasn't a heron. I'm pretty sure it was a crane! When it flew off, its neck was straight.

Do cranes live wild in the UK would you know?

They are found in a few places in the UK but are generally very rare. Occasionally herons will fly with a straight neck, so that doesn't totally exclude one. You also mentioned the bird having a crest on its head, which Grey Heron has but Common Crane doesn't have. I think it would also be more likely for a heron to perch on a roof, whereas cranes tend to be very terrestrial. It would be exciting if it was a crane but there are a few details that seem to fit a heron better.

 

[robinm]

Hi catinwaiting,

A warm welcome to BirdForum from all the Moderators and Admin. Glad to have you on board :t:

I must say I think the description you gave seems more like a Grey Heron - although without a photo we may never be sure. Maybe a juvenile which is why it seems unfamiliar.

There are small populations of cranes in England (e.g. Norfolk). There is no population in Kent and there have been no recent sightings of cranes in Kent. It is a while since I have seen one here.

 

[catinwaiting]

Hi Andrew, Robin

Thanks for taking the time to come back on this. I tried to get a photo but it flew off before I got a chance.

I'll try again if I see it.

Thanks

 

[Andy Hurley]

Hi caitinwaiting, welcome to BF.

I see Cranes on migration twice a year in Germany. They are very shy and as Andrews mentions, terrestrial. I include two photos taken last year for comparison.

 

[catinwaiting]

Hi Andy Hurley
The bird in the photos is beautiful - but I am now doubting it was a crane I saw as I don't remember the plumage at the tail of the bird I saw.
Otherwise though its very similar so I think the suggestion it was a heron may be right
Thanks for taking the time to post these pictures though

 

[Andy Hurley]

no worries