Signs of Winter, the Cranes are migrating.

This morning I heard the sound of the cranes passing over our house.

they usually fly over during the third week in October

so they are a few weeks later this year.

I guess, due to the milder weather in France these past few weeks 

they decided to hang on a little longer.

 but now it must be time for them to leave and fly south

These are probably from Scandinavia and eastern Europe.

 They leave to winter in south-west Spain and north-west Africa 

Where I live is on a flight path, so maybe we humans chose this route from the birds !!
( I'm only joking. )

I can still remember the first time I saw the Cranes or should I say heard them. I had no idea their route took them over my home. I was in the garden at the time, and I couldn't work out what the loud noise was and then I finally saw the cranes. I tried to count them, it seemed like there were hundreds flying in several V-shaped formations. I'd only ever seen pictures of this, I'd never actually seen it for real.
I still rush out  to see them when I hear the noise.
I enjoy it even more when they are on their return in February,
as I know that spring is on it's way.

They usually fly in large groups like this, changing positions


It was a wonderful sight to see, their wings working rhythmically as they held the V.shape, they seemed so organised, the leader at the apex changing as the birds took it in turns to lead the way. There were a few stragglers flapping about who seemed to be left behind, but thankfully they eventually caught up and tagged onto the end of the line.

So goodbye my friends,
 we'll see you again  next year in February when you
  return to your breeding patch.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian