Conservation of Common Cranes in Czechia
The Common Crane is an impressive bird that can also be found here in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, this species is still critically endangered. For more than 10 years, the Ornithological Project has been helping to protect it The Crane's Life.
Predators and threats
Although the population of the Common Crane is slightly on the rise, the situation is still not ideal, so they need our protection.
During the breeding season, the Common Crane depends on a suitable environment with sufficient water levels to provide shelter from its natural predators, which are mainly foxes.
Another threat is humans and the increasing encroachments on bird habitats. Cranes need quiet to nest successfully because frequent disturbance lifts them from their nests. The eggs are then at risk of becoming stagnant or predated. Similarly, scaring cranes with their chicks often leads to the loss of the chicks.
Common Crane Monitoring
The protection of cranes consists primarily in monitoring cranes in their natural habitat. This allows us to respond appropriately to planned interventions in the landscape (road construction, tourist routes, revitalization, ...). Monitoring of cranes can also be essential during the bird flu season or when ponds are drained.
For observation in remote locations, photo traps are mainly used to monitor the behaviour of cranes without disturbing them. The more photo traps, the more places across the Czech Republic they can monitor. In addition, if problems are detected at a nest, Crane Life can in some cases intervene in time, e.g. by directing visitors or proposing water level regulation.
Support Crane Life
For CZK 20,000, they will purchase up to 2 new phototraps - ideally with a GSM module of OXE brand with an amplifier for locations with a weak signal and a solar panel with accessories (cards, batteries, locks), which would allow them to monitor nesting sites in remote or shaded places.
We send 100% of the collected donations to the Crane Life Project, which is a member of CCBC.