Cranes to breed on the levels

They stand at four feet tall and have a wing span of some eight feet and they haven't been seen in Somerset for around 400 years.

CRANES Are big - up to 20% larger than a grey heron They're also our tallest breeding bird with the greatest wing span (2.2 - 2.45m) Their burgling call is one of the loudest of all bird calls and can be heard three miles away Can live for up to 14 years Pairs lay two eggs, usually only raising one chick. Young leave the nest within a day but are fed by parents for up to 10 weeks Cranes have well developed communication systems including over 90 physical gestures and sounds Cranes can dance

But all that could change thanks to a project to re-establish a sustainable crane population in Britain.

Cranes are the longest surviving species (they have been around for 9m years) and they are the highest flying of all birds (they reach altitudes of 32,000 feet).

The Great Crane Project aims to secure the future as a breeding species of the Common or Eurasian cranes (grus grus).

These large and iconic wetland birds were formerly widespread in the UK, but the drainage of extensive areas of wetlands and hunting caused them to disappear as a breeding species by the start of the 17th century.

The crane was absent as a breeding bird for nearly 400 years, before a small population re-colonised the Norfolk Broads - a former breeding site - in 1979. While successful breeding has taken place, this small population of cranes remain isolated and vulnerable.

And now Somerset's Levels and Moors have been chosen as the site with the greatest potential for re-introducing the bird.

The exact location is being kept tightly under wraps as cranes are sensitive to disturbance.

Once the birds have left this enclosure, however, they could turn up anywhere in the Levels and Moors and perhaps even further afield.

It is expected that around 40 breeding pairs will live on the Levels and Moors. There are 250,000 worldwide.

A spokesperson for the project said: "Cranes are exciting birds, loved by people and are part of our heritage.

"We hope that the Great Crane Project will help raise awareness of the importance of our wetlands and engage the community in wetland conservation."

It is hoped the introduction of cranes will help boost tourism and the local economy to the area.