Well this is exciting. For the first time we have spotted a flock of common cranes (Grus grus) flying low over our site. We heard them initially - a distinctive croaking speaking sound - before seeing a group of 8 or 9 of the huge birds pass low over head and circle around. We don’t know if this is the first time they have been in the area of the site or not, but it’s certainly the first time we have seen them.

It’s probably no coincidence that there are large floods in this part of the Somerset Levels at the moment. The cranes are often reported near the town of Muchelney further south but may be looking for new spots as the flood waters rise and fall. Athelney itself is also under a lot of water, but there are shallower patches around the fringes and drier areas nearby that may be of interest to them.

Either way it was a thrilling sight which will hopefully be the first of many.

Cranes were reintroduced to the region following an absence of about 400 years as part of an effort by the RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), and are now found in various parts of the Levels. In total there are thought to be around 50 breeding pairs in the area, with more in Norfolk supplemented by occasional migrants from the continent.

Okay, you may have to take our word for it, but this was the flock of cranes. It was very clear and close in real life, but this was the best we could get on a phone.

Away from the cranes the site is in the grip of its winter floods at the moment, which most of it resembling a lake. However despite being at the very beginning of its rewilding journey this years floods already feel a little different, with long vegetation and saplings beginning to poke up through the water.

Cranes spotted at Athelney

Kayaking on a flooded rewilding site

Sound of rewilding