In the sky over Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland, an impressive spectacle can be observed again in these weeks: Thousands of cranes are moving south. According to the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU), the three countries are on one of the main routes for migratory birds. Every year the animals set off from their home in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe to their warmer transitional home in France and Spain.
Mainz - The birds, which are up to 1.30 meters tall, are a symbol of luck and fly high up in sometimes huge V-formations of 60 to 200 animals. At the top there are usually experienced animals in turns. In flight, the birds reach speeds of over 65 kilometers per hour. On their way through towards warmer temperatures, the birds can meanwhile be recognized by their loud, trumpet-like calls.
Many bird lovers will probably be watching the natural spectacle with binoculars and cameras again in the coming weeks.
Much to the delight of crane fans, the migratory birds regularly stop, eat and rest.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, for example, the cranes migrate along the Ahr, Moselle and Nahe rivers.
But especially when the animals are on the ground, they should not be disturbed.
Each startling and flying off takes them valuable strength that the long-range birds need for their further journey.
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In the course of climate change, experts see more and more cranes breeding in Germany.
According to NABU, the best chances of spotting many cranes across Germany are currently at rest areas in northeast Germany.
According to the information, almost 30,000 cranes were reported at the large collection sites in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone at the weekend.
NABU uses its crane ticker to point out the best resting places online and shows how many animals have been reported in, for example, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
dpa