In Shimanto City, which is being developed as a wintering ground for cranes in Kochi Prefecture, it was confirmed that cranes were wintering for the first time in three years.
Overwintering in Shimanto City are hooded cranes, which are designated as a national special natural treasure and come to Japan from Siberia.
In Japan, the Izumi Plain in Kagoshima Prefecture is the largest wintering ground, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and others are developing feeding grounds and wetlands in Shimanto City in order to distribute the wintering grounds.
According to the Shimanto Crane Village Development Association, which observes cranes, five hooded cranes flew to Shimanto City from October to December last year, and two of them are overwintering. That's it.
A crane is considered to be overwintering when it is confirmed in the same area for 10 days or more at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, and it is the first time in three years that it has been confirmed in Shimanto.
On the morning of the 23rd, just after 7:00 a.m., two cranes took off from the bed where a model of the crane called "decoy" had been set up, and picked up fallen ears and insects at a nearby feeding ground.
The Shimanto Tsuru-no-Sato Zukuri no Kai says, "We are very happy to be able to confirm that the cranes have passed the winter for the first time in three years. Cranes are very cautious, so please watch over them quietly from a distance."
According to the Shimanto Crane Village Development Association, the hooded cranes that are overwintering will fly north by March.