[NancyEH]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

[CarlR33]

I was going to ask what is attracting them to your yard vs. the neighbors so I did a quick search. See about mid section. Maybe activate your sprinklers and see if that helps get them out of the routine?
Are sandhill cranes destroying my lawn? - Birdful

[Altavia]

Try one of these motion sensing sprinklers.

https://a.co/d/766jNYg

[justjim]

They usually come into a residential area because somebody is feeding them. See if you can find the culprit.

[biggamefish1]

Set mouse traps out to stop them, lol just kidding. You have critter bugs in your lawn they are foraging on. Up your bug extermination to control this.

[tophcfa]

As stated, they are forging for bugs in your lawn. They do the same thing on our lawn. Oh well, let them eat the bugs. I’d rather have them tear up the lawn than put chemicals down and watch our dog get cancer.

[Miboater]

You probably have a lot of grubs in your lawn and that's what they are feeding on. Putting down a preventative like GrubX would help in the future but now all you can do is scare the cranes off.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by NancyEH

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

Those fake owls (if you're talking about the ones that just sit there and look grim) don't work. I know: I have a pretty extensive patio garden and for the first year or two keeping the critters (rabbits, squirrels, various birds) away was an ongoing battle. When I ended up doing was getting a kinetic owl, mounted on a stake near the patio. "Kinetic" because the wings move whenever there's a breeze. Pest problem down to almost zero.

It doesn't have to be an owl, by the way. It can be any one of several birds of prey. I saw a kinetic osprey that was pretty impressive.

[Velvet]

No! I love those birds! They are graceful as ballet dancers, and purr when they are in flight. Send them over to Mallory! My place.

[NotGolfer]

They're an issue for farmers, up north! I for one would try a non-violent way to scare them off.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Cherry bomb! 😄

Cherry bombs, M80s, and silver salutes was outlaws in late 60’s.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

They're an issue for farmers, up north! I for one would try a non-violent way to scare them off.

Framers have bulldozed most forests in Midwest. But, who cares about flyover states?

[clekr]

You have mole crickets. That is what they eat. Get rid of the mole crickets and you'll get rid of them. Talk to someone at any of the ACE HDWE.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Velvet

No! I love those birds! They are graceful as ballet dancers, and purr when they are in flight. Send them over to Mallory! My place.

Love 'em, except when they walk the streets.
"Purr"? And they seem dumb as a post with very little response when threated by cars ot carts.
Bird brains. That is a very appropriate term.
🫣🤭

[Nevinator]

You likely have grubs or some other insect infestation. Get rid. Of the grubs and the birds will be gone. Years ago, living in Texas, I had a similar problem with armadillos tearing up my lawn. Treated for bugs and grubs and the problem disappeared. Good luck.