The crane is typical of the migratory birds that cross our commune at this time of year.

This stilt-legged bird, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe with a wing-span of 2m to 2.40m, feeds principally on vegetable matter (grasses, fruit, seeds), and occasionally insects and amphibians.

 Migration begins in autumn. Some cranes actually winter in Champagne (Lac de Der), in north-east France, others in Spain or even Morocco.

 In February/March they make the return journey, leaving their winter resting-place for Northern Europe, particularly Sweden, where they will nest and reproduce.

The crane’s flight formation forms letters in the sky; a “J” for 50 birds, “V” for 100 and sometimes even a “W” when 200 fly together…

The migration of cranes gives you two opportunities in the year to walk our countryside with “head held high”, the better to see them!

For more information, look at the site of the “League de Protection des Oiseaux en Champagne”.