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Our plans for the upcoming crane season
Sandhill Cranes. Photo: Richard Derevan
Every March, over a million Sandhill Cranes converge on the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska to fuel up before continuing north to their nesting grounds. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is at the heart of this magnificent crane staging area.
Rowe Sanctuary offers daily guided tours at sunrise and sunset to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their river roosts from new “discovery stations” strategically placed along the Platte River close to Sandhill Crane roosts.
Multiple viewing opportunities are available for nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers to witness this historic migration.
Rowe Sanctuary will begin taking reservations for its guided crane viewing opportunities on January 5 at 9 a.m. CT. Reservations may be made online or by calling 308-468-5282. Availability will not show up on our reservation system until it opens on January 5.
Guided Crane Viewing Experience:
Guided Crane Photography Experience:
Overnight Photography Experience:
Crane Behavior Basics
Held daily this workshop will teach participants about basic crane behaviors and provide information on cranes to help enhance your viewing experience in our blinds. Know what to look for and become a crane behavior translator! Get the most out of your crane viewing experience with Crane Behavior Basics.
Virtual Crane Tour
For more information, visit rowe.audubon.org/events
Please be aware that ALL of our current programming is subject to change.
We will be evaluating local conditions throughout the crane migration in order to determine the extent that Rowe Sanctuary’s public events and crane viewing opportunities can take place. The safety of our staff, volunteers, and guests are the utmost priority.
As you begin planning for your 2022 crane viewing experience; please use the following guidelines to assist in your decision making.
Rowe Sanctuary’s current plan for operating during the 2022 Crane Season:
We will be working with our local health department, Two Rivers Public Health Department, the state of Nebraska and the National Audubon Society as guidance on our safety procedures during the 2022 Crane Season. Please realize all tours are subject to cancellation and refunds will be available when Covid-19 precautions change our scheduling.
The Guided Crane Viewing Experience provides guests with the opportunity to observe thousands of cranes as they fly into the Platte River at dusk, and lift off from the river at dawn.
The Guided Crane Photography Experience provides photographers with the opportunity to capture world-class shots of cranes on the Platte River in a small group setting.
The Overnight Crane Photography Experience provides guests with the opportunity to spend the night in a viewing blind on the banks of the Platte River and photograph thousands of cranes as they fly into the river at dusk, and lift off at dawn.
Rowe Sanctuary hosts tens of thousands of sandhill cranes each spring. Watch it here!
Learn the basics about the majestic Sandhill Cranes that migrate through the Platte River in Nebraska each spring.
Keep checking back for crane season updates or subscribe to our eNews!
Volunteers are critical to the operations at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary. Take a look at our volunteer opportunities and consider joining this incredible team.
Your generous support helps to ensure that Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife that depend on the Platte River will have this wonderful resource for years to come.
Our gift shop has a wide variety of items and your purchase supports our conservation efforts along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska.
