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First Natural Crane Breeding in 400 Years Hatches Chick

7/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A crane chick hatched at RSPB Ham Wall, marking the species’ first natural breeding in four centuries.
The 12-week-old chick was seen preparing for its first flight on the Somerset Levels.
Its mother Meg is the offspring of two first-generation Somerset cranes released between 2010 and 2014 under The Great Crane Project.
RSPB warden Steve Couch said reedbed nesting makes the sites almost impenetrable to predators.

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Story summary

A crane chick hatched at RSPB Ham Wall, marking the species’ first natural breeding in four centuries.
The 12-week-old chick was seen preparing for its first flight on the Somerset Levels.
Its mother Meg is the offspring of two first-generation Somerset cranes released between 2010 and 2014 under The Great Crane Project.
RSPB warden Steve Couch said reedbed nesting makes the sites almost impenetrable to predators.