Common Cranes - Lac Du Der, Champagne-Ardenne, France by World-Sounds.org published on 2021-01-11T08:46:45Z At 48 km2, the Lac du Der is the largest artificial lake in Europe. It was built in the 1974 regulate the river Marne and help protect Paris from flooding. Since its construction, the lake has become a paradise for birds and is a main stopping point for Common Cranes during their migration from north to south in late autumn and from south to north from mid winter. This recording features the Common Cranes as they take off into flight at sunrise, recorded in early January of 2021. Having rested overnight, the birds fly off in groups, with hundreds, sometimes thousands of individuals calling out. Their morning flight is usually to surrounding fields where they search for food, before continuing their migration. Sound Devices Mix Pre 6 + 2 x Sennheiser MKH 8040 (ORTF) 10.01.2021 Photo Credit : BarbeeAnne (Creative Commons) Genre Field Recording