They inhabit wetlands and prairie throughout much of North America and winter in … And many of the birds, both for food but also for sanctuary and safety, require open water to be able to rest and to be away from predators. Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were nesting in North America 2.5 million years ago -- a sandhill crane fossil of that age was found in Florida. Yesterday a crane found the pond and ate almost all the fish.It is illegal to harm a crane (not that I would anyway). Sandhill Cranes Dancing in the Field. Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) are one of two crane species found in North America. Uninvited guests in a San Antonio golfing community are causing thousands of dollars in damage but Uncle Sam is on their side. Sandhill Cranes Dancing in the Field. The other is the whooping crane, an endangered species, which has been reintroduced to Wisconsin as an ex-perimental flock. The early spring gathering of Sandhills on the Platte River in Nebraska is among the greatest wildlife spectacles on the continent, with over a quarter of a million birds present at one time. They're tall, elegant birds, with gray bodies and crimson caps on their heads. I pulled off to the shoulder of the road, shut down the car and got my camera into position. My mom has a small pond with fish. Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were nesting in North America 2.5 million years ago -- a sandhill crane fossil of that age was found in Florida. There, out in the open in a freshly cut farm field, stood five sandhill cranes feeding fairly close to the road. I came away really appreciating the experiences here. The cranes noticed me and slowly turned to move away. The Sandhill Crane Migration in Kearney, Nebraska takes place from late February to early April. How to Make Sandhill Crane Decoys on the Cheap (Sandhill Crane Quest - 2015) This blog entry is Part 1 of 2 of Sandhill Crane Quest - 2015 +++ ... ALL of the cranes in the area landed about 200-300 yards away near NO COVER. I am not allowed to trap or touch or harm the animal, but as with many nuisance bird species such as Canadian Geese, I was able to employ a system of daily distraction and deterrence via the use of sight lasers and water jets. The Sandhill Crane Migration in Kearney, Nebraska takes place from late February to early April. Cranes cavorting in the frozen dawn. Sandhill cranes are no strangers to the area, ... which are prone to having open water in them, whether it's sewage treatment or just the heat of a city can keep many rivers and streams open. Are you certain they are the ones causing the lawn damage? “In harsh contrast to whooping cranes, sandhill cranes have a very healthy wild population.” One of the key points to know about sandhill cranes is how important migration is to their life cycle. Unlike its white whooping crane cousin, the Sandhill crane is a gray bird and is much more common. This occurred at the Audubon Institute, as part of this subspecies' endangered species recovery plan. Found in several scattered areas of North America, Sandhill Cranes reach their peak abundance at migratory stopover points on the Great Plains. Over 600,000 Cranes converge on the Platte River, making it one of earth’s greatest migrations. Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts.Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included. I pulled off to the shoulder of the road, shut down the car and got my camera into position. There, out in the open in a freshly cut farm field, stood five sandhill cranes feeding fairly close to the road. On the ride home, we strategized for the next attempt. “Sandhills are the most common of all cranes,” Haefele said. I put a scare crow up to see if that would keep it away. They're tall, elegant birds, with gray bodies and crimson caps on their heads. About 300 Cuban sandhill cranes exist; this is the least known of the populations. In your case, you value your beautiful lawn a bit more than the cranes, which means it can be upsetting to have them feeding in it. For a birder or biologist, the site of sandhill crane in the backyard is quite exciting.