Platte River Sandhill Cranes
For eight weeks from late February to early April, the fascinating Sandhill Crane Spring Migration happens in the heart of Nebraska. More than 80 percent of the world’s Sandhill Crane population converge on Nebraska’s Platte River. The Sandhill Cranes fly from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska & Siberia. They stop along the Platte to rest & gain body fat as they prepare for their journey north. Crane fossils dating back nine million years have been discovered in Nebraska.
Other wildlife such as Whooping Cranes, eagles, ducks, geese & shorebirds also migrate through Central Nebraska during this time. It is an enchanting experience. One that can only be truly appreciated in person.
The highest concentration of sandhill cranes occurs near the National Audubon Society’s Rowe Sanctuary.
Take a guided tour at Rowe Sanctuary, there you will be watching from a discovery station strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of the Sandhill Cranes while they are on their river roost. Tours last approximately two hours and are led by trained guides. This option will get you closer to the cranes and out of the elements. Rowe Sanctuary offers multiple options for guided crane viewing experiences.
Located just 20 minutes from Kearney, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary lies right in the heart of a critical spring staging area for migrating Sandhill Cranes. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is a non-profit organization set up to conserve the Platte River ecosystems for sandhill cranes and other wildlife through conservation and education. You will need reservations to participate in one of their guided tours but the visitor center is open daily during crane season for indoor viewing, family viewing and a fantastic gift shop.
Where it is:
The Kearney area has multiple options for public viewing, designated areas are provided for different times of the day. Pull-offs offer opportunities for day-time viewing while cranes are as in the fields, while the Plautz Viewing Platform and Fort Kearny Bridge, spanning the Platte River, offer perfect sunrise and sunset viewing.
The Platte River Valley is the most important stopover on this migration. The river provides the perfect spot to rest, and the nearby farmlands and wet meadows offer an abundance of food. Without the energy gained along the Platte, cranes might arrive at their breeding grounds in a weakened condition — where food may be limited until the spring growing season begins.
The Platte River region has a variety of habitats that support cranes. The most important is the Platte River itself. The river is very shallow and sandbars dot the channels. It is here the cranes rest at night, gaining protection from predators like coyotes.
The Sandhill Crane Migration in March along the Platte River near Kearney Nebraska, at the Rowe Audubon Sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit:
The spring migration is during March and April, Sandhill Cranes pass through in the fall but do not stay like they do in the spring.
The cranes are eating in the cornfields during the day. The designated pull-offs allow you to view them in the field. At sunset, they congregate on the Platte River to sleep, then return to the fields at sunrise. The blinds at Rowe Sanctuary are located on the river and allow you to go out at sunrise and sunset.
The Sandhill Crane Migration in March along the Platte River near Kearney Nebraska.
Maps:
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Cost:
Hours:
The cranes roost on the river from sundown till sunrise and then scatter to fields during the day to eat.
Location Contact Information:
Platte River Sandhill Cranes Photo Gallery
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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