WhenToBird

Sandhill Crane · Antigone canadensis

When Do Cranes Arrive in Ohio?

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

Sandhill Cranes reach Ohio in early July, are common by mid July, peak in the second week of May (5.8% of checklists), and most are gone by early June. They are the only regular cranes in Ohio.

When to look

First arrivalsJul 1-7early July
Common byJul 15-21mid July
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJun 1-7early June

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals early July; most are gone by early June. Peak: on about 5.8% of Ohio checklists.

  1. Januncommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Cranes in Ohio, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Sandhill CraneJul 1-7Jul 15-21May 8-14Jun 1-75.8%
0%2%4%6%8%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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Best counties for Sandhill Crane

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Wyandot CountyBest mid October · 168 checklists that week, 6,235 in all34%
  2. Wayne CountyBest the second week of October · 732 checklists that week, 37,443 in all30%
  3. Trumbull CountyBest the second week of October · 378 checklists that week, 21,066 in all21%
  4. Williams CountyBest the second week of April · 109 checklists that week, 2,778 in all21%
  5. Ottawa CountyBest the second week of March · 600 checklists that week, 51,024 in all15%
  6. Mercer CountyBest the second week of December · 15 checklists that week, 2,091 in all14%

Common questions

When do cranes arrive in Ohio?
Sandhill Cranes reach Ohio in early July, are common by mid July, peak in the second week of May (5.8% of checklists), and most are gone by early June. They are the only regular cranes in Ohio.
When do cranes leave Ohio?
Most Sandhill Cranes have left Ohio by early June, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of June.
When is the best time to see cranes in Ohio?
The Sandhill Crane is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 5.8% of Ohio checklists.