OHIO — For the fifth year, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is conducting its Midwest Crane Count, to track the state's population of sandhill cranes.

The count is conducted in partnership with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative.

Sandhill cranes are tall, wading birds with long necks and bills. They have mostly grey plumage and red patches on their heads. ODNR said they are often recognized by their bugle call. The birds are listed as threatened in the Buckeye State. 

This year the count will occur in 33 counties on April 12 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. ODNR said the counties selected have habitats used by the birds to nest, typically wet meadows, shallow marshes, bogs and other wetlands.

ODNR said the cranes are seasonal residents of Ohio that migrate south for the winter. Their diet consists of grain, insects, birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. 

The bird once disappeared from Ohio, but returned to Wayne County in 1987 and has been slowly expanding since then. Last year, 412 sandhill cranes were counted across 32 counties. The top five counties with the birds were Wayne, with 106, Lucas, with 56, Geauga, with 48, Holmes, with 28, and Richland with 27. 

Previous counts of the birds include:

• 2023: 357 (30 counties surveyed)
• 2022: 311 (26 counties surveyed)
• 2021: 160 (five counties surveyed)

For those interested in volunteers, contact a county coordinator. Volunteers will take a virtual training, review survey protocols, scout areas and take part in the count. ODNR said volunteers will work outdoors for approximately two hours on April 12 and the count will take place rain or shine. Volunteers must have a vehicle and ODNR said participating in pairs is preferred. 

For more information, visit the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative's website.