In the weeks to come, there may be 600,000 or more on the river on a given night, with some yet to arrive from their wintering grounds to the south and others having already continued their northward migration. We have two opportunities to witness the immense annual migration with a local guide. During the fall migration, DNR staff at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area make a weekly count. By March, 80% of the world’s population crowds a 150-mile stretch of the river, creating a migration spectacle that is simply mind-boggling to witness. Dec. 31: 1,200 The cranes stop by for 4 to 5 weeks in the wetlands of San Luis Valley in Colorado, and along the Platte River in Nebraska, the latter is known as the most famous sandhill cranes spotting place.The birds feed on cornfields and roost on shallow waters, so the best time to observe the spectacle is either sunset or dawn. Visits to just about anywhere in the region will result in a crane spotting, but if you want an up-close view of the awe-inspiring spectacle, head to Grand Island, about a six-hour drive from Denver. In the weeks to come, there may be 600,000 or more on the river on a given night, with some yet to arrive from their wintering grounds to the south and others having already continued their northward migration. A sandhill crane dances in a cornfield before heading to the Platte River to roost for the night near Alda, Nebraska, in March 2006. Crane Cam is located on Rowe Sanctuary and is a great way to see the Sandhill Cranes on their river roost. Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes visit the area's shallow marshes. Since the cranes leave the river to feed during the day, the best times to view are near sunrise and sunset. Each spring, the sandhill cranes return to the Platte River. Since the cranes leave the river to feed during the day, the best times to view are near sunrise and sunset. Outside of crane migration season you can see a … The Sandhill Crane Migration in Kearney, Nebraska takes place from late February to early April. They graze on … More than 80 percent of the world’s sandhill crane population converges on the Platte River. These large birds have made their migration to Nebraska and the Platte River for thousands of years. Each spring, roughly 600,000 sandhill cranes make their annual migration through Nebraska via the Central Flyway, a route also used by migrating ducks, geese, and shorebirds. Crane Excursions March 14-April 7, Thursday-Sunday, $39.50/person Groups of 10+ can customize a date/time. By March, 80% of the world’s population crowds a 150-mile stretch of the river, creating a migration spectacle that is simply mind-boggling to witness. Thousands of sandhill cranes will have arrived on the Platte River in central Nebraska by the time you read this. One of Nebraska’s most epic experiences is getting the chance to observe the sandhill crane migration in Central Nebraska. LINCOLN, Neb. Receive e-mail notification when this page is updated. Subscribe to sandhill and nongame news from Division of Fish & Wildlife. Other wildlife such as Whooping Cranes, eagles, ducks, geese and other shorebirds also migrate through the area at this time. The Canadian, or intermediate, sandhill crane comprise about 15 percent of the birds staging along the Platte, and the greater sandhill crane comprises about 5 percent. But what about the rest of us? The most numerous is the lesser sandhill crane, which is the smallest subspecies. This was the scene in April 2019. Sandhill Cranes feeding in a Nebraska Cornfield irrigated with a center pivot shown in background.. A "refuling" stop during the Cranes annual Migration back North. The early spring gathering of Sandhills on the Platte River in Nebraska is among the greatest wildlife spectacles on the continent, with over a quarter of a million birds present at one time. Over 600,000 Cranes converge on the Platte River, making it one of earth’s greatest migrations. Spots are filling up! Crane Cam is located on Rowe Sanctuary and is a great way to see the Sandhill Cranes on their river roost. Therefore, at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center, we have decided to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on October 13, 2018, as the cranes are beginning their fall migration. Join Naturalist Journeys on this incredible Sandhill Crane migration tour. Every March, some 600,000 sandhill cranes land in Nebraska for a closer look at things—and flocks of humans swoop in to witness the awesomeness. Experience the Great Sandhill Crane Migration in Kearney, Nebraska on this 5 day, 4 night guided tour with BrushBuck Wildlife Tours! So much so that the Crane Trust is extending viewing opportunities through April 6, a week longer than usual. Sandhill Crane counts for 2019-20. Along with them come millions of migrating ducks and geese in the neighboring rainwater basins. All of the migratory subspecies pass through Nebraska, and their populations are thriving. FILE -- Sandhill cranes begin a playful hopping and leaping as the sun rises on the Platte River in central Nebraska, a staging location on one of the world's largest migrations. March marks the peak of the sandhill crane and waterfowl migration … The spring migration date this year (May 12, 2018) was after the sandhill cranes and whooping cranes had left central Nebraska.