Crane (Common Crane) Grus grus
A small population of this species has existed in the Norfolk Broads for a number of years now, and is doing well. The species is normally migratory in Europe, but the Norfolk birds are present all year round. They do get about though, particularly in spring, and records of birds moving along the north Norfolk coast and elsewhere are frequent. In the last 2-3 years a pair has taken up residence at Lakenheath RSPB reserve in Suffolk and is now breeding there, crossing the river into Norfolk regularly (these are the same birds photographed at Hockwold below). Recently wild birds are reported to have joined the captive birds at Pensthorpe and a pair is reported to have bred this year at a nearby location.
This species looks set to be the subject of another pointless reintroduction attempt, despite the fact that it is doing so well under its own steam. The birds at Pensthorpe sometimes escape and some reports from around Norfolk may relate to these birds, possibly including the Warham Greens birds below.
Apart from the small Norfolk population, this species is a rare migrant from Europe.

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