Towering Success?

Words and Pictures by William Bowell

Back in the darkness of the first lockdown, in March 2020, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) made the decision to close their reserves to the public. Disaster for the people but perfect for the wildlife. For these are above everything else, reserves for nature!

On Willow Tree Fen LWT reserve, near Tongue End (of recent BBC Countryfile fame, don’t’ you know) this closure changed things forever, A pair of Common Cranes took up residence and looked as if they were quite taken with their the new home. During spring, Cranes will often move around, looking for new territories, feeding spots and the like. This Willow Tree pair saw many a wandering Crane and they looked set to stay.

The residency of this pair was something of a champagne moment for avian fans in Lincolnshire, for the last breeding Cranes in the county were seen at least 400 years ago. Hopes were high that Cranes would once again breed and to everyone’s joy, June saw a youngster accompanied by its parents.

Cranes pair for life and although flock together when not breeding, especially during the winter, they are site loyal once a breeding site has been chosen. ‘Our’ Cranes probably haven’t come from far; just the Nene Washes, where they regularly breed, and wintering flocks can number over one hundred!

But what of their past? Well, as a youth, I was aware of the small, elusive, legendary, flock of Cranes in the Norfolk broads. To witness these elegant birds that stand over a metre tall, a dusk visit to Stubb’s Mill, in the depths of the Broads was needed, as they went to roost. Chance encounters of feeding birds on local fields and reed beds were unlikely as their numbers were so small.

Myth has always surrounded the Norfolk Broads population. Our British birds are said to be the only non-migratory Common Cranes in Europe, which some would suggest makes them of captive origin. But Cranes did once breed in Britain and migrants from the near continent, although scarce, were not that unusual in Norfolk during the late 1970s when these birds first appeared. The habitat in the Broads is perfect, plus there is no other real suggestion of captive origin.

Crane encounters are always special, no matter where and when, and I remember my first. Late on, during the afternoon of Saturday 30th November 2002, news reached me of two adults and a juvenile Crane present at Eldernell, on the Nene Washes near Whittlesey. I was just a teenager and my birding mentors and good friends; Trevor Williams and his son Dan had me hooked on ‘twitching’.

Twitching, dear reader, is the pursuit of seeing new, rare or scarce bird species. And back then twitching was new and exciting and these legendary birds I had read about in books were so nearby. I simply had to go. Naturally, it wasn’t that easy and the birds had flown a mile further when we arrive, so we had to sprint against the dusk to see the exquisite, special birds.

Less than ten years later, Cranes were breeding on the Nene Washes (how was I supposed to know?!) and can almost be dismissed on a visit (or they would be if they weren’t so graceful and big, not to mention noisy!). Since then, birds have naturally bred in Scotland, Yorkshire and a few other counties. There has also been a reintroduction programme in the south west, which has been very successful.

Back at Willow Tree, in 2020, the pair raised a single youngster to fledging. A moment in history. A true conservation success story on our doorstep. Back from the brink and thriving! In 2021 the pair sadly lost their young, but last year two chicks fledged and I am happy to report, at the time of writing, that at least one tiny, ginger chick has been sighted already this spring.

It doesn’t stop there either. Another pair have bred even closer to Deeping this spring and although unsuccessful this year, it’s promise for the future, and with another pair prospecting the future surely is bright for a bird that towers among others in the fens.

With perhaps over 60 pairs attempting to nest in Britain these days, Common Cranes are far from being common, but rather a symbol of hope, that we can bring birds back from the brink. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and the worst in the G7. It is down to all of us to hold our government and local officials to account for the decline in environmental standards that has led to this.

And the Crane towers above all, to show it can be done.

Will works at Grasmere Farm in Deeping St James (with a butcher’s and deli in Market Gate, Market Deeping) but in his spare time enjoys wildlife watching locally and across the country. He is also a keen photographer. Many of his images can be found at http://justwildimages.blogspot.co.uk/ and photo cards can be found for sale at Market Gate Deli in Market Deeping.

5 great things to do at Storyfest

Come and say Hi to Mickey and Minnie - have your picture taken with Elsa - sample a smorgasboard of stories from the Library storytimers - workshops with Ellie, Emily and Brandon Mattless - be entertained by the Theatre of Widdershins and Toby Wood - enjoy the Treasure Hunt - if possible come dressed as your favourite character! An extravaganza of story delights - come and join us! Sat & Sun 27th & 28th May 1.30 - 5.00pm

Pre-booking advised for some events - FREE tickets from the Deepings Library

Pigs + Bears Don’t Come in Pairs!

Straw, wood, brick? Porridge, chairs, beds? Two trios to tantalise and tickle your senses in this DOUBLE BILL of Furry Tails, where Goldilocks may even be more scary that the Big Bad Wolf!

If two’s company and three’s a crowd, then book your place now for these well-loved stories, retold with puppets, original music and a perfectly petite pop up set. Ideal for 3 to 7 year olds.

‘Two of the most gorgeous and delicate tellings of familiar tales you’ll hear this side of Jackanory in the TV show’s glory days’ (***** GET YOUR COATS ON). Booking advised – free tickets from the Deepings Library M-F 10.00 - 5.00pm closed Thurs, Sat 10.00- 3.00pm

Elaine Slade

Elaine is a children’s author and former Deputy Head living in Werrington. She enjoys exploring a good story and inspiring children, including her family (four daughters, two granddaughters) to love reading. During lockdown she achieved a childhood dream of writing quality children’s story books. Her daughter’s loveable Goldendoodles are the inspiration for the two main characters in the highly recommended Charlie Farley series of six published books. Elaine is passionate about raising children’s selfesteem and equipping them to face life situations through the personalities and adventures of Charlie Farley and Jasper. They are fun, well-crafted stories in rhyme for children aged 4-9 years. Elaine will be reading from her books and will have some for sale too! www.elainesladebooks.com

Children’s author and illustrator and owner of the popular art school Artivity, Ellie Sandall will be creating colourful characters in four workshops over the two days. On Saturday 1.30-2.30pm it’s Wooden Spoon characters, and from 3.00- 4.00pm Doodle Dogs. On Sunday from 1.30 to 2.30 the workshop will be all about bird sculptures and between 3.00 and 4.00pm Ellie will be demonstrating how to make collaged characters in the style of Ana Ventura.

Toby Wood

Toby Wood spent his entire life in Peterborough, as an education adviser, headteacher, teacher, but perhaps most importantly, as a child. Consequently he is not widely travelled and regards coming to Deeping as the ‘trek of a lifetime’

His poems are like cheese and onion crisps – fun, quite tasty but you probably wouldn’t live on them. Toby enjoys looking at the quirky side of life, having fun and will be encouraging children to get the maximum benefit from a single piece of A4 paper. He will make you and your kids laugh he always does!

Come and see him on Saturday 27th May in the Main Hall of the Community Centre at 2.45pm.