Guide · France · October to March
Every autumn tens of thousands of common cranes land on the Lac du Der-Chantecoq, a large reservoir in Champagne. At dawn they fly out trumpeting to the fields; at dusk they return in long lines. It is one of Europe’s key crane stopover sites.
Short answer: go in November, when numbers peak, and be on the Chantecoq dyke between Arrigny and Giffaumont-Champaubert at sunrise or sunset. The LPO is there in the afternoons with telescopes. The Fête de la Grue runs for ten days in late October.
Each year 200,000 to 350,000 cranes pass through and 20,000 to 30,000 stay for the winter. On 11 November 2014 a record of over 206,000 was counted.
| October | First big flocks; Fête de la Grue |
| November | Usually the peak |
| February-March | Spring migration north |
Frequently asked questions
Cranes at Lac du Der
When is the best time to see cranes at Lac du Der?
November, at the peak of autumn migration.
Where is the best viewpoint?
The Chantecoq dyke between Arrigny and Giffaumont-Champaubert.
Also read about the common crane and crane watching in Germany.
Habitat · France
