Rowe Sanctuary — Platte River
Nebraska · Midwest
Easy
Late February-Early April
Crane viewing blind: $25-50 per person
Varies by season; blind viewing requires reservation
About This Location
Each spring, over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes — roughly 80% of the world's population — gather along a 60-mile stretch of the Platte River in central Nebraska. Rowe Sanctuary, managed by the National Audubon Society, offers guided blind experiences for witnessing this ancient migration spectacle.
From late February through early April, the shallow braided channels of the Platte serve as a staging area where cranes rest and feed before continuing north. The sight and sound of thousands of cranes lifting off at dawn is one of North America's greatest wildlife experiences.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2)
Loxia curvirostra
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Northern Bobwhite
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Tree Swallow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Yellow Warbler
Dickcissel
Birding Tips
- 1
Book crane blind viewing well in advance — reservations open in December and fill quickly
- 2
Dawn departures are the most dramatic, but sunset fly-ins are also spectacular
- 3
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 4
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
- 5
Bring waterproof boots and scan the marsh edges for rails, herons, and bitterns
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Fort Kearny State Historical Park
- Kearney Archway Monument
More in Nebraska
Nebraska Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Nebraska →