From February through April each spring, nearly 500,000 Sandhill Cranes crowd together along a short stretch of the Platte River in south central Nebraska. This migration event is one of the most spectacular wildlife happenings that can be witnessed anywhere. Thousands of bird enthusiasts travel thousands of miles each year to be part of this incomparable experience.

So why do these incredible concentrations of Sandhill Cranes show-up each spring in Central Nebraska? Simply put, the wet meadows & shallow sandbars of the Platte River make this a “staging” area attractive to all cranes migrating in the Central Flyway. It is a place where they can refuel, rest and mate or rekindle their pair bonds so that when they arrive at their arctic nesting grounds they can immediately get down to the business of starting their family. This Platte River staging area is really their only extended stopover during the entire spring migration and the only location offering safe sandbars for roosting, abundant food and meadows for loafing and courting.

While most of our attention is focused on migrating cranes, they are by no means the only show in town. Waterfowl and shorebirds pour into the Platte Valley by the millions. Bluebirds begin calling on prairies. Woodcock initiate their evening “skydance”. Wild turkeys can be heard gobbling along the river. Prairie chickens initiate their spectacular courtship “booming” display. Bald Eagles can be observed in tall cottonwoods along the river searching for food.

All told, 185 species of birds migrate through this area each year and an additional 115 species will stay here to nest. The Platte River Valley truly is a wildlife viewing paradise in the spring that should be experienced first-hand by everyone with an interest in birds and nature.

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