WhenToBird

Sandhill Crane · Antigone canadensis

When Do Cranes Arrive in Delaware?

Adult Sandhill crane
Photo: Cathy Perkins, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Sandhill Cranes arrive in Delaware in mid June, peak in the second week of August (1.4% of checklists), and most are gone by early January. They are the only regular cranes in Delaware.

When to look

First arrivalsJun 15-21mid June
Common byJun 15-21mid June
PeakAug 8-14the second week of August
Most gone byJan 1-7early January

Best: the second week of August. First arrivals mid June; most are gone by early January. Peak: on about 1.4% of Delaware checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Mayuncommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novpeak season
  12. Deccommon

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Cranes in Delaware, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Sandhill CraneJun 15-21Jun 15-21Aug 8-14Jan 1-71.4%
0%0.5%1%1.5%2%Sandhill CraneJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Sandhill Crane
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Delaware that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Delaware

Best counties for Sandhill Crane

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Kent CountyBest the second week of November · 730 checklists that week, 36,693 in all5.5%
  2. New Castle CountyBest mid July · 865 checklists that week, 72,140 in all1.7%
  3. Sussex CountyBest late October · 1787 checklists that week, 91,027 in all0.1%

Common questions

When do cranes arrive in Delaware?
Sandhill Cranes arrive in Delaware in mid June, peak in the second week of August (1.4% of checklists), and most are gone by early January. They are the only regular cranes in Delaware.
When do cranes leave Delaware?
Most Sandhill Cranes have left Delaware by early January, when reports fall below half their usual rate.
When is the best time to see cranes in Delaware?
The Sandhill Crane is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 1.4% of Delaware checklists.