Wildlife & Cranes
Experience ...
the Sights and Sounds of Sandhill Crane Migration
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Every year during March and early April, over 500,000 sandhill cranes converge on the Platte River valley in order to ‘fuel up’ before resuming their northward migration. Rowe Sanctuary offers guided trips to view the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes from observation blinds on the banks of the Platte River. Rowe Sanctuary conducts blind tours twice daily during the migration. You can also visit the Iain Nicolson Audubon Visitor and Education Center.
For more crane viewing, visit the Hike/Bike Bridge located at Fort Kearny State Recreational Area. The old railroad bridge spans across the river and is the perfect place to stop after visiting the Historical Park. The bridge is 300 yards from the parking area and offers great views of the river anytime of the day.
For more information on the crane migration and other migratory birds visit NebraskaFlyway.com
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Sandhill Cranes Facts
The spring migration population of sandhill cranes in the Central Nebraska Flyway is estimated at 650,000.
Height -- 3 to 4 feet
Wingspan -- 6 feet
Weight -- 8 to 12 pounds
Color -- Gray
Migration -- 170 to 450 miles/day
Flight Speed -- 38 mph
Mating -- Begins at age 3 to 4
Eggs -- 20 to 40 years
Rowe Sanctuary & the Ian Nicolson Audubon Center 
44450 Elm Island Road
Gibbon, NE 68840
308-468-5282
www.rowesanctuary.org
Rowe Sanctuary offers guided trips to view the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes from observation blinds on the banks of the Platte River. The trips are conducted every year during March and early April, when over 500,000 sandhill cranes converge on the Platte River valley in order to ‘fuel up’ before resuming their northward migration. The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center was constructed on the sanctuary in 2002 and serves as a visitor/education center and office space for the staff.
A straw bale structure, the Nicolson Center is a prime example of using a renewable resource and recycling. With the Platte River channel just out the back door, visitors get great panoramic views that are seldom seen anymore along the river. During late winter and early spring, the center serves as an information hub for birdwatchers, especially crane watchers as they come to witness one of North America’s greatest wildlife spectacles. The center has a gift shop with interpretive displays and two walking trails that start from the building.
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Fort Kearny State Recreation Area
2 miles south and 4 miles east of Kearney
Phone: 308-865-5305
Fort Kearny Website
Fort Kearny SRA offers 186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the central Platte River valley. Facilities include electrical and primitive camp pads, showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, nature trail, non power boating and hike-bike trail. A Nebraska State Park permit is required.