More cranes nesting in Netherlands

An increasing number of cranes are nesting and breeding in the Netherlands, according to bird protection organization Vogelbescherming. This year a record number of 32 breeding pairs were counted, 10 more than last year and four times as many as in 2014.

Most cranes were spotted in Drenthe and Friesland as in previous years. But this year cranes were also found breeding in Noord-Brabant and Limburg for the first time. Twelve of the 32 breeding pairs actually hatched chicks.

Vogelbescherming counted 20 chicks, but only seven survived. "In comparison with the number of breeding pairs, it is a disappointing end result", the organization said. The organization attributes this to the lack of food due to the drought. Predators were also a problem.