Welcome to The Norfolk Cranes’ Story
John Buxton and Chris Durdin
This book – published in July 2011 – tells the story of how cranes bred at Horsey in Norfolk, and how they were protected and studied there.
The cranes’ story starts with their arrival at Horsey in 1979. Their first nesting attempt was in 1981 and the first chick fledged in 1982.
From this slow start in the Broads, the re-colonisation of this iconic wetland bird is now taking small but steady steps forwards elsewhere in the UK.
Their guardian at Horsey was – and is – John Buxton. Much of what we know about cranes in the UK was contained in John’s memory and notebooks.
The co-author is Chris Durdin from Honeyguide Wildlife Holidays and for many years on the RSPB's staff. With John providing the information and Chris doing the writing, this was how the book was completed.
"... a heartening and enthralling narrative." Richard Mabey in BBC Wildlife. See reviews. |
"Quite simply, it is splendid." Mike Everett in British Birds, September 2011. See reviews. |
See inside! Here are some preview pages of the book. Click on the arrows to turn the pages. There's a bigger version of this preview here. About the book: more here>.
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For our news pages click here or reviews here.
Available in the USA and Germany: see Buy the book.
WWT: "an excellent new book". See reviews.
BTO: "The combination of clear readable prose and the relaxed familiarity of the authors with their subject makes the Cranes’ story interesting for all readers".
See web reviews.
Cranes and the book in the RSPB's Birds magazine, spring 2012: reviews and news.
Read the book? Now buy the film 'Born to Fly'. More here>.
Broads Society, Harnser, January 2012: "... an interesting and inspiring read." See reviews.
About 16 nesting pairs of cranes in England in 2011. More here>.
Tern, Norfolk Wildlife Trust: "... entertainingly relayed ... a definitive account of their story has long been overdue and this book fills the gap admirably." See reviews.
The 1982 male (left) and 1983 female (right)
The Norfolk Cranes' Story was shortlisted for the Eastern Daily Press / Jarrold East Anglian Book Awards. More here>.
Jarrold best seller! No 1 in the chart. More here>.
Paper on cranes in British Birds: more here>.
Information for bookshops: more here>.
Updated 13 March 2012