Common Cranes (Grus grus) are fearful birds that flee at the slightest danger. The Lac du Der-Chantecoq has privileged areas inaccessible to the public where the cranes can be quiet and rest far from human eyes. To observe them, one must stand on the lake’s embankment before the first light and be patient: at dawn, tens of thousands of cranes take off towards the surrounding fields to feed. The wading birds sleep with their heads under their wings, but “spotters” remain vigilant, ready to give the alarm at the slightest threat.