Sandhill cranes still making comeback in Ohio

SANDUSKY — Sandhill cranes apparently are continuing to make a comeback in Ohio, although the birds remain a threatened species in the state. A count carried out in April in 31 counties showed 428 sandhill cranes, a 4% increase from the 412 found when 32 counties were surveyed last year. All of the counties with the most birds were in northern Ohio, although Erie County was not a part of the survey. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported 101 were found in Wayne County, 97 in Lucas County, 59 in Ottawa County, 51 in Geauga County and 19 in Sandusky County. The survey, part of the 2025 Midwest Crane Count, selected Ohio counties to survey based on those that have a wetland habitat that the birds like to nest in. "Killbuck Marsh and Funk Bottoms wildlife areas in Wayne County as well as the western Lake Erie marshes in Lucas, Ottawa and Sandusky counties are prime breeding areas for sandhills," said a press release from state wildlife officials. Erie County has been included in past counts, but officials were not able to find a volunteer coordinator in Erie County this time, so the county was left out, said Will Babb, an Ohio Department of Natural Resources spokesman. Ohio's first survey, in 2021, targeted only five counties and found 160 cranes. A survey of 30 counties in 2023 found 357 of the birds, so there's been a continuing trend of better numbers. Sandhill cranes are tall wading birds with a long neck and bill, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. They are mostly grey with a red patch on the forehead. Their "rolling bugle" calls are distinctive. Once believed to be wiped out in Ohio, the cranes came back to Wayne County in 1987 and have been building up their numbers since then. Ohio residents can help the sandhill crane comeback by purchasing the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, available online and where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Money raised from the stamp sales goes to support habitat restoration and other efforts to help wildlife in Ohio.