Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

State Senate holding fate of farmers and sandhill cranes

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Sandhill cranes are an awesome sight and - in recent times - an increasingly likely one in U.P. counties.

That's good news for bird enthusiasts but bad news for farmers.

The Michigan branch of the National Audubon Society reports that sandhill cranes are the state's oldest and largest bird, standing at up to five feet tall and with wing spans that may stretch about six feet wide. Their bodies are in neutral shades of tan and gray, but their heads feature a vivid red cap.

According to website facts by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the bird...