Cranes are majestic birds that can be found across Nebraska. During migration seasons, thousands of cranes stop in Nebraska as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. According to recent surveys and estimates, there are between 500,000 to 600,000 cranes that migrate through Nebraska each spring and fall.
Crane Migration in Nebraska
Nebraska’s central location along the Central Flyway, a major north-south migratory route for birds in North America, makes it an ideal stopover point for cranes. The Platte River valley provides ideal roosting and feeding habitat for migrating cranes in the spring and fall.
There are two main crane species that migrate through Nebraska – the Sandhill Crane and the Whooping Crane. The Sandhill Crane is by far the most abundant, with over 95% of the crane population in Nebraska belonging to this species. Sandhill Cranes breed in northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia and winter in the southern U.S. states of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. Whooping Cranes are endangered with only around 800 total individuals. They breed in northern Canada and winter along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Spring Migration
The spring crane migration through Nebraska runs from late February through early April. Numbers peak in late March, when over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes stop in the Platte River valley. This is one of the largest concentrations of cranes in the world!
Key spring staging areas include:
- Platte River – between Grand Island and North Platte
- Rainwater Basin – south-central Nebraska
- North and South Platte Rivers – western Nebraska
- Niobrara River – northern Nebraska
A small number of Whooping Cranes, around 50-60, also pass through Nebraska in spring on their way to nesting areas in Canada.
Fall Migration
During the fall migration from mid-October through early November, another huge wave of cranes stops in Nebraska on their way south. The Platte River valley again hosts the majority of the birds, with high counts of over 400,000 cranes.
Fall staging areas include:
- Platte River – between Grand Island and North Platte
- Niobrara River – northern Nebraska
- Rainwater Basin – south-central Nebraska
Around 75-100 Whooping Cranes pass through Nebraska in the fall as they migrate south for the winter.
Where Can You See Cranes in Nebraska?
There are many excellent places in Nebraska to witness the impressive crane migrations each spring and fall. Here are some of the best crane viewing locations:
Platte River Valley
The central Platte River valley between Grand Island and North Platte is the epicenter of crane activity in Nebraska, with hundreds of thousands of birds converging on the wide, shallow river to roost and feed in the corn fields.
Prime viewing spots include:
- Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon
- Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center near Wood River
- Fort Kearny State Recreation Area near Kearney
- Platte River State Park near Louisville
Rainwater Basin
The Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska contains a network of wetlands that provide important stopover habitat for cranes in spring and fall. Units like Funk Lagoon and Harvard Marsh offer excellent crane viewing opportunities.
North Platte Valley
Areas along the North Platte River in western Nebraska, like Lake Alice and Lake Minatare, host tens of thousands of roosting and feeding Sandhill Cranes, especially during the fall migration.
Niobrara Valley
The wide, braided channels of the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska attract thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes in spring and fall. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge offers a front-row seat to the action.
Crane Viewing Tips
Here are some useful tips for viewing cranes in Nebraska:
- Time your visit for peak migration – Late March for spring, mid-October to early November for fall
- Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon when cranes are most active
- Use binoculars or spotting scopes for best views of cranes
- Wear muted colors like greens and browns to blend into environment
- Keep noise to a minimum when cranes are near
- Keep your distance and be respectful of the birds
- Chat with local nature guides for the best recent crane sightings
Crane Conservation in Nebraska
Nebraska plays a vital role in conserving cranes along their Central Flyway migratory route. Here are some of the main crane conservation efforts in the state:
- Habitat protection and restoration along the Platte, North Platte and Niobrara Rivers by conservation groups like the Crane Trust and Audubon Rowe Sanctuary
- Operation of Federal and State Wildlife Refuges that provide sanctuary for migrating and wintering cranes
- Whooping Crane monitoring during migration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Restrictions on water use from rivers to maintain crane roosting habitat
- Public education programs to raise awareness of cranes
- Implementation of conservation measures on private lands through Farm Bill programs
These initiatives involve a diverse array of partners from government agencies to non-profit organizations and landowners. They aim to maintain Nebraska’s rivers and wetlands as healthy stopover points along the crane’s migration flyways.
Threats Facing Cranes in Nebraska
While cranes continue to rely on Nebraska’s habitats during migration, they face a variety of threats:
- Loss of river flows and wetlands from water diversions for agriculture and other uses
- Disturbance from increasing development near crane staging areas
- Collision with power lines near river roosts
- Reduced water quality from pollution and sedimentation
- Intensive farming practices that degrade or drain wetland habitat
Conservation efforts aim to mitigate these threats and ensure Nebraska remains a safe haven for migrating cranes into the future.
Interesting Crane Facts
- Sandhill Cranes can live up to 20-40 years in the wild
- They mate for life, with pairs staying together year after year
- Sandhill Cranes build unique “dancing” displays into their elaborate courtship rituals
- Pairs work together to build nests and raise young called “colts”
- Cranes eat a variety of foods including berries, seeds, grains, mice, snakes, worms and insects
- They communicate with a wide array of vocalizations and calls
- In flight, Sandhill Cranes soar to heights of 1-2 miles and travel up to 40 mph
- Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America standing nearly 5 feet tall
- Their population dropped to just 21 individuals in 1941 before conservation efforts
- Cranes sleep at night while standing in shallow water, taking turns keeping watch
Conclusion
The spectacle of hundreds of thousands of cranes congregating along Nebraska’s Platte River valley is one of the greatest wildlife migrations in North America. Thanks to conservation efforts in the state, these majestic birds continue to have safe haven as they travel along their migratory flyways.
By protecting habitat, managing river flows, expanding education programs and addressing key threats, Nebraska plays a critical role in the future of Sandhill and Whooping Crane populations. With continued focus from wildlife agencies, non-profits and private landowners, cranes should continue to grace Nebraska’s skies for generations to come.
