Crane Watch

Crane Watch

March-April

There are actually two events in Nebraska that celebrate the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes: the Crane Watch in Wood River and Wings Over the Platte in Grand Island. Both take place during a six-week period in March and April when 70 percent of the world's sandhill cranes—over a half million birds—crowd a 150-mile stretch of the Platte River between Grand Island and Sutherland. Arriving from west Texas, New Mexico, southern California, and central Mexico, the cranes rest and feed in the area before continuing their migration to Canada and Alaska.
The Crane Meadows Nature Center serves as an information center for the many visitors who come to see the cranes, and there are guided tours to the most advantageous viewing areas. Other events associated with the Crane Watch include wildlife displays, outdoor photo seminars, and nature workshops.

CONTACTS:
Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau
309 W. 2nd St.
P.O. Box 1486
Grand Island, NE 68802
800-658-3178 or 308-382-4400
www.visitgrandisland.com
Crane Meadows Nature Center
9325 S. Alda Rd.
Wood River, NE 68883
308-382-1820
www.nebraskabeautiful.com
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Operation Crane Watch
8711 37th St. S.E.
Jamestown, ND 58401
701-253-5500; fax: 701-253-5553
www.npwrc.usgs.gov
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