Cranes dance in autumn: the spectacular courtship display in Western Pomerania!

Cranes dance in autumn: the spectacular courtship display in Western Pomerania!

If you travel through Western Pomerania, you will encounter a very special attraction in autumn: the cranes. In recent years, the crane population in the region has increased significantly, so that today over 50,000 of these majestic birds can be observed courting and flying. The observation sites such as the Anklamer Stadtbruch and the Galenbecker See are particularly popular. Here the cranes not only perform a wonderful autumn ballet, but also show their impressive partner recruitment dances.http://www.uckermarkkurier.de/regional/anklam/traumtaenzer-kraniche-ziehen-jetzt-ihr-herbstliches-balz-ballett-4008406

The crane family, represented by 15 species worldwide, is slowly but surely making a name for itself again in Germany. These birds were once widespread in Europe, but many breeding sites disappeared due to the transformation of moors and forests. In the 1960s there were hardly more than 600 breeding pairs in Germany, but this number has recovered significantly. Today there are around 5,000 breeding pairs in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, making the state an important retreat for the animalshttps://www.nationalpark-vorpommersche-boddenlandschaft.de/wissen-verstanden/natur-landschaft/voegel/kranich.

Mating dance and breeding behavior

Autumn is not only the time of migration to winter quarters - for the cranes it is also the time of looking for a partner. The males put on impressive dance performances to impress their females. These monogamous birds often find a partner for life and can stay together for over 30 years. They are sexually mature in their third year of life and usually start their family in their fourth year. However, when they lose a partner, cranes do not hesitate and immediately look for a new companionhttp://www.uckermarkkurier.de/regional/anklam/traumtaenzer-kraniche-ziehen-jetzt-ihr-herbstliches-balz-ballett-4008406.

Interestingly, cranes breed their eggs in water-rich areas. The nests, in which two eggs are usually laid, are cleverly made from branches and reeds and are located in swampy regions. However, this makes the cookies rare as many of these habitats are being lost due to human activity. Beavers also play an important role here, creating new habitats through their dams and thus contributing to the crane populationhttp://www.uckermarkkurier.de/regional/anklam/traumtaenzer-kraniche-ziehen-jetzt-ihr-herbstliches-balz-ballett-4008406.

The way to the south

From mid-February the cranes return from their winter quarters and stay near their breeding grounds. At the forefront is an important migratory route through the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, which is of great importance for the cranes. In early autumn the animals gather again in large groups to prepare for the journey to warmer climes to France, Spain and North Africa. The birds cover remarkable distances of up to 12,000 kilometershttps://www.nationalpark-vorpommersche-boddenlandschaft.de/wissen-verstanden/natur-landschaft/voegel/kranich.

The undisturbed, knee-deep waters in Western Pomerania are a real pleasure for both the cranes and the observers - after all, they protect against predators and offer a unique backdrop. If you are lucky enough to witness one of these majestic movements, you will have a special experience of nature on site and surrender to the impressive voice of the cranes resounding through the air. Guided nature walks are also available to enjoy this remarkable sight up close and learn about the fantastic world of craneshttp://www.uckermarkkurier.de/regional/anklam/traumtaenzer-kraniche-ziehen-jetzt-ihr-herbstliches-balz-ballett-4008406.