Florida Sandhill Crane - eggs but no hatch (1 Viewer)

[Judybird]

Does anyone know why our beloved Sandhill Crane pair would not have any hatchlings? They laid two eggs in the field - far away from humans in fenced area of local ranchette? The laid the eggs very late - the end of April. Two eggs were laid but nothing came of it. We had exceptional heavy rains during that time.

They appeared very attentive and still seem to hover near the nest site, although they have abandoned sitting on the nest on a regular basis. I think the mother sat there for 40-45 days and nothing hatched.

We were so disappointed - we had a very lonely young male who finally found a mate late in the season. He had been by himself visiting the field where they nested all winter.

Any ideas? Will they return to the same place next year?

 

[samuel walker]

Hi Judybird I'm waiting on a sandhill hen in Ohio.She is three weeks gone with two eggs.This is her third attempt in three years. She has a new male from two years ago. Weather here has been ideal for nesting. She has colored herself brown while sitting, and is very blended into the marsh grass of Lorain county just a few miles south of Lake Erie.This coming week should tell if Ohio willl once again breed cranes.I'll be checking on her Tues and Thurs.
Sam