I witnessed what looked like hare-coursing with greyhounds on Aller Moor a couple of years ago. I immediately phoned it in to the police, but nothing ever came of it presumably for lack of evidence. The person’s concerned had driven away and even through a ‘scope I was unable to get their reg no.

A lady has emailed us to say there was a pack of Beagles as well as lots of people there yesterday afternoon, which suggests a hunt taking place.

She did manage to see a Short-eared though.

Hi Mike, I was very surprised at the number of people walking up the droves and across Aller Moor this afternoon. No idea what was going on, but clearly no chance of seeing cranes in the area if it continues.

23-Jan-2016
The flock of at least 45 Common Cranes still present on Aller Moor this afternoon as viewed from near Stathe, but distant.

13-01-2016 A visit to see the Common Cranes at Stathe this morning 45 birds counted.Work was in progress on the bridge so access may now be difficult.
Some distant photos of the birds feeding on my website.http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p577876181#h66e0a52d

10-Jan-2015
And all 50, including the 2 unringed birds, still present in the same location early-afternoon today.

50 Common Cranes feeding on flooded fields on Aller Moor this pm viewed from just over the bridge at Stathe, including 1 unringed 1st winter juv (this year’s offspring), and 1 unringed sub-adult bird (presumably wild stock that has joined the released birds). As mentioned by Julian Thomas on Twitter, the bridge will be closed soon from 15th Jan for 3 weeks so best viewed now as the birds are closer than usual in the 2nd field east across the River Sowy floods.