Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Crane Migration
March 2013
The Sandhill Crane Migration is a very popular annual attraction in Central Nebraska for the hundreds of thousands of Migrating Cranes and also their many viewers who come from all over the world to watch the event.
An estimated 500,000 Sandhill Cranes pass thru the Nebraska Platte River valley heading northward every year during the Annual Spring and Fall Sandhill Crane Migrations. They migrate through an 80 mile wide “Flyway” stretch along the Platt River from near Grand Island to west of Kearney, NE. It is estimated that about 80% of the world’s population of Sandhill Cranes do an annual migration layover in this area of the Platte River. The Platte Valley area has great habitat for many types of birds – even bald eagles.
The Spring migration usually begins on the Platte River in late February, peaks in mid March, and has a mass exodus in mid April. During the Spring migration, cranes stay in the area for several weeks to “fuel up” for the long trip north. The Fall migration usually runs between late September through mid December, with the peak between late October through early November. These stays are typically just an overnight on the Platte River since the cranes are heading south to warmer weather.
Teachers will take a trip up to see the migration. This course is free to all who would like to come witness this amazing event!
