Online Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Survey Data Entry Portal

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712) designates the Department of the Interior as the primary agency responsible for managing migratory bird populations frequenting the United States and setting hunting regulations that allow for the well-being of migratory bird populations. These responsibilities dictate that we gather accurate data on various characteristics of migratory bird populations. The Service’s fall survey for eastern population sandhill crane was established in 1979. It is implemented by state and Federal agencies and public volunteers from eight states in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, as well as Ontario, Canada. Sandhill cranes are widely dispersed during the breeding and wintering seasons and are difficult to count. The optimal time to survey cranes is during the last week of October when the majority of eastern population cranes breeding in Canada migrate to traditional staging grounds in the Great Lake States (e.g. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, Medaryville, Indiana). Since the initial survey in 1979, crane numbers have increased to over 90,000 birds.

The latest form for Online Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Survey Data Entry Portal expires 2028-08-31 and can be found here.

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Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Conservation, Marine and Land Management