16 Sandhill Cranes descend into the floodplain

Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area has been declared an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. It is the prime spot in Ohio’s breeding Sandhill Cranes. While we were there (I traveled down with my mom and dad), we were lucky enough to see 16 Sandhill Cranes float down into the floodplain. Once they landed, we were unable to locate them, but that would have been a sight to see.

The land at Funk Bottoms is beautiful. It reminded me of The Great Valley that was in The Land Before Time: luscious, green grass covered the floodplain down the road just outside of Funk, Ohio. Going down South Elyria Road and Wilderness Road, we saw acres of water surrounded by the rolling hills of Amish Country. It was beautiful.

Moth Mullein

I can easily see how this is a shorebird and waterfowl magnet during different seasons of the year. It was the first time I had been there and I hope to visit again during different times of year to see the transformation of the floodplains.