WDFW will use drones for sandhill crane surveys in Klickitat County

RIDGEFIELD – Researchers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct drone surveys over known locations of sandhill cranes in Klickitat County to assist with population monitoring.

Drone flights may occur, weather permitting, during daylight hours from April 1 through July 31. Flights will occur over identified state public lands and waters in western Klickitat County where sandhill cranes are present. WDFW will seek pre-approval from other private or public landowners should the Department consider flights over additional lands.

The purpose of the surveys is to capture high-quality images of sandhill crane habitat to find and locate nest locations. In 2024, WDFW biologists successfully identified sandhill crane nests at multiple locations within the survey area using drone technology.

Flights will be conducted by WDFW staff with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot certification, while following FAA and WDFW policies. WDFW staff will maintain visual line of sight and an appropriate altitude to avoid disturbances to wildlife or people. No area closures or significant public impacts are expected.

Breeding sandhill cranes arrive in Klickitat and Yakima counties in early March, with most nesting occurring from April to June in wet meadows and grasslands. The cranes and their young leave the state between late September and mid-October to winter in California’s Central Valley.

WDFW has listed all three subspecies of sandhill crane occurring in Washington — greater, lesser and Canadian — as state endangered. For more information about sandhill cranes, refer to the sandhill crane webpage.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.