As of: February 3, 2024, 9:01 p.m
By: Maibrit Schültken
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The spring comes.
At least that is what the observation of numerous cranes over Hesse suggests, making their way to their traditional breeding grounds.
Hesse - It's starting to look almost like spring when you look out the window.
Sunshine and rising temperatures not only give people the well-known spring fever, the animal world is also waking up again.
For a few days now, numerous cranes have been seen in the sky over Hesse returning from their winter shelter.
The first swarms have already crossed Hesse.
The state is on a main migratory route for birds, which mostly nest in eastern Germany and northern Europe in the summer months.
However, they spend the winter months in northern France or Spain.
“Over 15,000 cranes have already migrated through Hesse in this warm weather,” explains NABU crane expert Bernd Petri.
In total, up to 280,000 cranes are expected in the next few weeks.
Cranes over Hesse: Following the spring weather
The ideal flight conditions and at the same time the highest chances of sighting a crane occur in sunny weather and southwesterly winds, which the birds can be carried by in order to save energy.
The animals can reach speeds of up to 50 to 70 kilometers per hour in the air and may even fly non-stop from northern France to eastern Germany.
The cranes, which travel in large flocks, can be observed particularly well along the Rhine plain and in central and eastern Hesse towards the Weser.
They can be recognized in the air by their V-shaped flight formation and trumpet-like calls.
NABU Hessen reports on numerous cranes across Hesse returning from their winter quarters.
© Jens Büttner/dpa
When it rains the cranes have to stop their flight.
On the way north they sometimes stop in Hesse and wait for the storm to pass.
The floodplains of the Rhine and Main, the Wetterau and the river valleys of Werra, Fulda, Lahn and Eder are known as such rest areas.
However, bird lovers should be careful.
Just because the animals are on the ground doesn't mean you should approach them.
“You should keep a distance of 300 meters at resting places so as not to unnecessarily worry exhausted animals,” warns biologist Petri.
Cranes spotted in Hesse: Every observation is a success for people and animals
Anyone who has spotted a crane themselves can document this observation online at www.kranich-hessen.de.
The website was set up by NABU Hessen.
Such a crane sighting is not only a rare natural spectacle for the attentive bird lover, but ultimately and in the long term also helps to protect the animals on their way to their summer home.
“The more data we receive about the cranes’ migratory behavior, the better we can take protective measures on site – e.g.
B. for rest areas in Hesse’s floodplains and wetlands,” explains Bernd Petri.
He reveals that the number of cranes has increased tenfold in the last 30 years.
Cranes can be recognized in the air by their typical V-shape.
© Arne Dedert/dpa
In addition to large breeding successes, shortened migration routes also contributed to the significant increase.
Because of global warming, many cranes no longer have to make the long journey to southern Spain or North Africa.
Instead, many birds now spend their winter at the Marne reservoir in northern France or other large lake areas.
(Maibrit Schültken)
Cranes - impressive and legendary
The animals, up to 1.30 meters tall, can spread their wings up to 2.40 meters and therefore have a huge appearance.
But there are also many legends in mythology about the animals that are nicknamed “birds of luck”.
The Romans coined the crane as a symbol of wisdom, luck and loyalty.
This attribution was taken up again in ancient Egypt and in Russian fairy tales.
The crane is also considered a symbol of fertility in some African tribes.