July 13, 2006

Columbus, Ohio - The state endangered sandhill crane has had a banner year in Ohio, say wildlife biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The production of 15 young cranes is the highest number of young born in Ohio since 1900.

An estimated 15 pairs of sandhills are currently located in the state, with the majority in northeastern Ohio, according to the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Nine nests were in Wayne County, two in Holmes County and one nest each was found in Geauga, Williams, Ashtabula and Lorain counties this year.

In 1875, there were 12 to 15 nesting pairs in Ohio, mainly in Fulton and Lucas counties, but those birds were gone by 1880. The last confirmed nest in the state, prior to 1987, was in Huron County in 1926. The elimination of sandhill cranes in Ohio was a reflection of their status throughout North America, as their numbers were reduced through unregulated hunting and habitat destruction.

Sandhills first returned to nest in the state in 1987 in Wayne County. Since that time there have been one to two pairs nesting on the Killbuck Marsh and Funk Bottoms Wildlife areas. In 2000 and 2001 pairs showed up near Killdeer Plains and La Su An wildlife areas in northwestern Ohio.

The cranes in northwest Ohio may have originated from Michigan’s flock, while those in northeast Ohio may have come from the sandhill flock in Ontario. While the origins of Ohio’s flock can be debated, there is no argument that it’s a growing population.

In 2003 a graduate student from The Ohio State University studied the crane’s habitat and was able to identify 12 nesting pairs that produced 12 young. Since then, Division personnel have been unable to locate as many pairs, as they can be difficult to survey. With some assistance from the state’s birding community this year, several new pairs were identified.

Sandhills typically nest in open marshes near agricultural fields, usually producing two eggs. They are considered to be among the oldest living species of birds, dating back 2.5 million years.