10-04-2025
Ohio Division of Wildlife looking for volunteers to help look for sandhill cranes
The sandhill crane population in Ohio appears to be increasing.
Last year, 412 sandhill cranes were counted in Ohio, up from 357 the previous year. This year's crane count will take place this weekend, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife is looking for volunteers.
"The Division of Wildlife along with partners and volunteers will count the numbers of sandhill cranes seen or heard in specific counties in Ohio," the department said in a prepared statement. "This year's crane count takes place in 33 counties. These locations have habitats where sandhill cranes typically nest such as wet meadows, shallow marshes, bogs and other wetlands."
Sandhill cranes are one of the oldest living bird species, dating back as far as 2.5 million years. They have long legs, necks and bills, and they typically range from 34 to 38 inches in height and 6 to 7 feet in wingspan.
"The plumage of the adult sandhill crane is gray with a bald red skin patch on its forehead," according to the Ohio Department of Resources. "Their eyes are yellow and their bill, legs and feet are blackish. Immature sandhill cranes have a gray body with a brownish head and they lack the red skin patch."
Sandhill cranes are listed as a "threatened" species in Ohio.
The count will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. April 12. Those interested in participating can contact a county coordinator.
Those wanting to support the growth of the sandhill crane population in Ohio can purchase an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, as the proceeds go directly to wildlife conservation.
"This fund supports habitat restoration, wildlife and habitat research projects, creation of free wildlife educational materials, as well as efforts to restore and conserve endangered and threatened species," according to a news release.
The stamp can be purchased online or at locations that sell hunting and fishing licenses.
Here's a look at the Ohio sandhill crane count in the past few years:
2024: 412 (32 counties surveyed)
2023: 357 (30 counties surveyed)
2022: 311 (26 counties surveyed)
2021: 160 (five counties surveyed)
Here's how many sandhill cranes were spotted in the different counties last year:
Ashland: 7
Ashtabula: 1
Columbiana: 0
Delaware: 3
Erie: 4
Franklin: 5
Fulton: 0
Geauga: 48
Hardin: 5
Holmes: 28
Knox: 17
Lake: 0
Licking: 0
Logan: 2
Lorain: 1
Lucas: 56
Mahoning: 6
Marion: 3
Medina: 14
Morrow: 0
Ottawa: 17
Pickaway: 6
Portage: 10
Richland: 27
Sandusky: 9
Stark: 0
Summit: 5
Trumbull: 10
Tuscarawas: 3
Wayne: 106
Williams: 13
Wyandot: 6
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Sandhill crane count for 2025 is April 12 in Ohio, volunteers sought
