January Cranes

Cagouille in his recent comment reports a small flock of cranes moving south but Norman Clark in Fontenille saw two flocks moving north yesterday. So what does this tell us?
 It may be a response to a short-term weather pattern or a sign of some confusion caused by elements of climate change. It may even be evidence of some cranes that have wintered not far way and which are moving around locally. The ones seen going north are possibly easier to explain . They could be an early sign of the return migration which usually starts around mid February.
In whatever case, it is good to see them-----but not for me, alas, as I have been in Wiltshire for the last couple of days (where I finally caught up with bullfinch!)
I'm off to Oz later today for bit of exotic birding. I trust that others will continue to monitor the Charente scene in my absence.