CAIRNGORMS CRANES
#WildlifeComeback
IMAGINE WILDLIFE-RICH WETLANDS ECHOING TO THE EVOCATIVE CALL OF CRANES
Standing at more than 1 metre tall with a 2.4 metre wingspan, the Eurasian Crane is an iconic wetland bird, known for its evocative bugling call and mesmerising courtship dance.
Cranes were once widespread across the UK, but became extinct in the late 1500s due to hunting and drainage of their wetland habitat. After a tentative return in the 1970s, population growth was slow for decades until a reintroduction project in south-west England boosted numbers.
Despite the growing crane population elsewhere, there are presently only a handful of breeding pairs in Scotland. It is possible that this isolated population could spread over time, but it would likely take many years without help.
Cairngorms Cranes seeks to reintroduce a breeding population of cranes to the Cairngorms National Park, restoring a missing piece of the Park's ecology, encouraging the expansion of life-rich wetlands and creating opportunities for local communities.
WHY REINTRODUCE CRANES?
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Cranes are part of a complex ecological jigsaw, which over time has lost many of its pieces. Restoring these magnificent wetland birds will enhance ecological functionality.
- Establishing cranes in the Cairngorms will reinforce the small population in north-east Scotland and support their recolonisation across the country.
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Protecting and restoring wetlands for cranes will provide additional habitat for key plants, insects and birds, and help to reduce the impact of seasonal flooding and drought.
- Returning cranes will provide a valuable opportunity for community engagement and the potential for school visits and education around nature recovery.
- A breeding population of such visible and audible birds will drive nature-based tourism helping to boost the local economy.
NEXT STEPS
In February 2022, we began a 12-month development phase for Cairngorms Cranes, which involves planning all aspects of the project’s delivery, consulting local communities and stakeholders, and working through The Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations, to ensure we undertake the necessary assessments for a successful reintroduction.
Sadly, the recent spread of Avian Influenza (AI), which has devastated many of Scotland’s seabird populations, is also a threat to cranes. For this reason, we have decided to delay the delivery phase of this project until such time the disease is less prevalent and it is safe to proceed.
Cairngorms Cranes is led by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture with support from Wildland Ltd and Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council. We seek advisory input from a range of other stakeholders and experts, including NatureScot and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the lead partner in the Great Crane Project.
#WildlifeComeback
