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Habitats: Common Cranes Make a Triumphant Return to the UK’s Wetlands
8 May 2025
By James Hamilton
By James Hamilton
Common Crane. Credit: Ben Andrew / RSPB Images
Once driven to extinction on British shores, the Common Crane is now making an extraordinary comeback - and 2024 has marked a record-breaking milestone in their recovery story.
According to the latest figures from the RSPB’s annual breeding survey, 30 pairs of Common Cranes were recorded nesting across RSPB nature reserves this year, which is a 20% increase from the previous high of 25 pairs in 2023. This is the highest total since these elegant birds reappeared in the UK in 1979, having vanished in the 16th century due to hunting and wetland destruction.
Standing at an impressive 1.2 metres tall with striking grey plumage and a vivid red crown, the Common Crane is Britain’s tallest bird, and among its most charismatic. Known for their elaborate courtship rituals involving head-bobbing, bows, and pirouettes, these birds are a vision of grace and resilience. Yet, despite their stature, Cranes are surprisingly elusive during the breeding season, blending into the reedbeds where they secretly raise their young.
A Conservation Success Story
The resurgence of the Common Crane is no accident. It is the result of decades of dedicated conservation work, habitat restoration, and cross-organisational collaboration. Wetlands - once in catastrophic decline - have been brought back to life, thanks in large part to the RSPB and its partners. Today, over 80% of the UK’s Crane population is found on protected sites, with more than a third residing on RSPB reserves alone.
Dave Rogers, Site Manager at RSPB Lakenheath Fen commented:
“It is fantastic to see Crane numbers increasing on RSPB nature reserves. This is thanks to the hard work of staff to create safe havens for this iconic species. The growing Crane population shows effective conservation by organisations, landowners and volunteers in action.”
One of the most exciting developments this year comes from RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset, where a pair of Cranes nested for the first time, and successfully fledged a chick. Through expert reedbed management and plans to enhance marshy grasslands, the site is set to become a future stronghold for breeding Cranes.
In RSPB Lakenheath Fen, innovation is taking flight - literally. Conservationists have cut "runways" in the reedbeds to allow the large birds to safely land and take off, mimicking airport design to accommodate their size. This pioneering strategy helped three Crane pairs fledge three chicks this year, a remarkable achievement on a site that once echoed only with silence.
Beyond Birds: Wetlands for a Changing World
Cranes aren’t the only ones benefiting from revived wetlands. Herons, egrets, and countless other species share in the bounty. But these habitats do more than support wildlife, they also store carbon and help mitigate flooding, playing a key role in the fight against climate change.
“Wetlands are incredible places for nature,” says Rogers. “We are urging policymakers to recognise their critical role - not just for wildlife, but for tackling the nature and climate emergency.”
Where to See Cranes in the Wild
While still rare, your chances of spotting these remarkable birds are increasing. Look for them at RSPB reserves such as West Sedgemoor, Greylake, Lakenheath Fen, Ham Wall, the Nene Washes, and Loch of Strathbeg. With their slow wingbeats and trumpeting calls, they are an unforgettable sight and sound.
Volunteers at the Heart of the ComebackBehind every successful conservation story are the people who make it possible. Over 13,000 volunteers support the RSPB’s mission, from monitoring Crane nests to managing landscapes. Their contribution is invaluable, and more help is always welcome.
To learn how you can get involved and help shape the next chapter in the Common Crane’s comeback, visit:
👉 rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/support-the-rspb/volunteering
Common Crane chick. Credit: Ben Andrew / RSPB Images
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