If you thought Oasis reuniting was the biggest comeback of 2025… well, that depends who you ask.
Sure, Noel and Liam performing again is exciting for Britpop fans, but enthusiasts of massive, nearly extinct birds have another reason to celebrate: the common crane has officially re-established itself in Scotland, nearly 500 years after vanishing. And you thought waiting 16 years for ‘Wonderwall’ was rough.
Affectionately dubbed the ‘ribeye of the sky’, the humble crane was once a staple food for any medieval Brit hosting a lavish banquet. And it’s this reputation as a delicious delicacy that ultimately led to the species’ near demise. They were hunted almost to extinction, but now they’re back. We love an underdog story.
Yes, after years of very rare sightings, scientists now say these lanky legends are back. For good. Around six or seven breeding pairs are thought to be nesting in the northeast, with more spotted in Mull, Moray, the Black Isle and Orkney. So if you’re in the area, keep an eye out.
Not that they’re hard to spot. As the UK’s tallest bird, these comeback cranes stand at around 1.2 metres – roughly the size of a labrador on its hind legs, in case you were wondering – with a wingspan of up to 2.4 metres (that’s two labradors).
Plus, these colossal cranes weren’t even reintroduced by conservationists. They came back of their own accord. It’s thought they were lured home by the (apparently irresistible) Scottish wetlands and peatlands, which have recently had a glow up thanks to ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change. Proof, if it were needed, that climate change efforts are good for all of us.
First spotted skulking around Scotland in 2012, the comeback cranes have been under the watchful eye of bird nerds ever since. Now, the RSPB says they’re officially back for good, calling it ‘one of the great modern conservation success stories’.
‘Hopefully with time, cranes will become more common, allowing more people to see these magnificent birds,’ said James Silvey, senior species and habitats officer at RSPB Scotland.
Let’s just hope they stick around longer than Noel and Liam.
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