Sandhill cranes take flight from the edge of the North Platte River to spend the day in nearby fields. For those who are no longer able to see the cranes in person, Center Director Bill Taddicken recommends another viewing option. A pair of sandhill cranes pass in front of the moon shortly after sunrise at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon, Nebraska, on March 13, 2012. We are not aware of anyone that has tested positive for the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) visiting the Crane … Subscribe to sandhill and nongame news from Division of Fish & Wildlife. Dec. 31: 1,200 Thousands of visitors come to the Crane Trust in central Nebraska to see hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes during their spring migration. The Spring Migration of the Sandhill Cranes Each spring, something magical happens in the heart of the Great Plains. Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes visit the area's shallow marshes. During the fall migration, DNR staff at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area make a weekly count. ... and a parking lot to provide a safe area for the public to view Sandhill and Whooping Cranes as they migrate through Nebraska in the spring. More than 80 percent of the world’s population of sandhill cranes converge on Nebraska’s Platte River valley—a critical sliver of threatened habitat in North America’s Central Flyway. Sandhill Crane Tours. Sandhill Crane counts for 2019-20. Found in several scattered areas of North America, Sandhill Cranes reach their peak abundance at migratory stopover points on the Great Plains. The Spring Migration of the Sandhill Cranes Each spring, something magical happens in the heart of the Great Plains. Each tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours, which includes a presentation on the Great Sandhill Crane Migration at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center before you depart for the blind. 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. More than 80 percent of the world’s population of sandhill cranes converge on Nebraska’s Platte River valley—a critical sliver of threatened habitat in North America’s Central Flyway. Outside of crane migration season you can see a … “People can now see the cranes from anywhere in … “The Platte River provides a critical link in the Whooping and Sandhill Crane migration but it hasn’t always looked like it does today. Heading to Kearney, Nebraska to view the Sandhill Crane migration? Subscribe to sandhill and nongame news from Division of Fish & Wildlife. ... March 10, 2020 Come for the Sandhill Crane Migration. 1 of 24 The river has evolved over the past 150 years in response to human impacts and the cranes have had to adapt along with it. Out of an abundance of caution due to the recent increase in the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) awareness in Nebraska, the Crane Trust will be closed to guests and volunteers starting March 12, 2020 through April 5th, 2020. Visitors will need to be able to walk about ten minutes over uneven terrain to reach the blind. In the Spring, Sandhill Cranes tend to land at the Reservoir after 3:30 p.m (MDT) and may land as late as sunset or just after, and on rare special nights have been known to land after dark. ... A huge number of dedicated nature lovers make the trek to Nebraska every year to view the sandhill crane migration. 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. Crane Cam is located on Rowe Sanctuary and is a great way to see the Sandhill Cranes on their river roost. Staging along the Platte River. 2020 CRANE COUNT for Fruitgrowers Reservoir in Hart’s Basin – in Eckert, Colorado. 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. Receive e-mail notification when this page is updated. Sandhill cranes that stopover in Nebraska primarily winter in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The Audubon Society hosts the annual Nebraska Crane Festival to celebrate the migration. Crane Viewing Sites. We are not aware of anyone that has tested positive for the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) visiting the Crane Trust. For eight weeks from late February to early April, the fascinating Sandhill Crane Spring Migration happens in the heart of Nebraska. The spring migration of sandhill cranes typically peaks the last two weeks of March in Nebraska. 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. Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes visit the area's shallow marshes. During the fall migration, DNR staff at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area make a weekly count.