Rowe Sanctuary is known as the best place to see Sandhill Cranes in March and early April. If you look and listen closely, you might discover a River Otter swimming along the river bank, the rare Nodding Ladys' Tresses Orchid, or an Eastern Screech Owl peaking from a cavity in a tall Cottonwood, and realize that the crane migration is just the beginning of what a person can see along the Platte.

The wildlife present on the Sanctuary depends on the time of year that you visit. Just before cranes arrive in March, millions of waterfowl migrate through the Platte River Valley. Unbelievable numbers of snow geese are joined by Canada, greater white-fronted geese, mallards and pintail in late February into early March. In addition to the cranes, March brings even more species of ducks into the area and Greater Prairie Chickens start to show up on their leks. April signals the start of the shorebird migration, with May bringing the songbirds. For a list of species that a person has a good chance of seeing during the spring migration, click on the link below.

Bird Check List

Check out the links below to see lists of species that are likely to be found on or near Rowe Sanctuary.

Mammals
Reptiles & Amphibians
Butterflies
Wildflowers & Grasses