VIEWING VENUESIain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE, 68840308-468-5282 rowe.audubon.org(Open Daily 8am - 5:30pm; February 15 - April 15)

Morning & Evening Guided Crane Viewing Tours available March 4 - April 9Tours last approximately two hours. Overnight photo blinds are also available. These blinds hold a maximum of two people. Call for fees & reservations.

Fort Kearny State Historical Park& Visitors Center1020 V Road (HWY 50 A), Kearney, NE 68847308-865-5305 outdoornebraska.org(Open Daily 9am - 5pm; March 3 - April 9)

Representatives from the Game & Parks Commission are on hand to answer questions about the migration and can direct you to the best viewing areas. Maps are available for self-guided tours of the Platte River. Stop at the Historical Park before beginning your tour, to view an 18 minute video informing visitors about the migration. A valid State Park permit is required per vehicle and can be purchased in the Fort Kearny visitors center.

Fort Kearny Recreation AreaHike-Bike Trail Bridge1020 V Road (HWY 50 A), Kearney, NE 68847308-865-5305 outdoornebraska.org

Sunrise/Sunset ViewingView the cranes a half hour before sunrise or sunset from an old railroad bridge that spans the Platte River. The bridge is part of a 13.2 mile trail and a 300 yard walk from the parking area. The recreation area also offers seven small lakes, camping and other wildlife viewing opportunities. A valid State Park permit is required per vehicle and can be purchased in the Fort Kearny visitors center.

Do not stop on major paved roadways.

It is illegal and a disturbance to other birdwatchers to harass cranes and other birds in any matter.

Most land on the Platte River is private property. DO NOT TRESPASS!

Do not attempt to approach the birds. Use your vehicle as a “blind” and stay in your car. (Window mounts for scopes and cameras work well.)

Do not stop abruptly if you see a flock of birds from the road. The person behind you may not be a crane watcher.

Allow farm machinery and local traffic to pass by pulling over.

March 4th - April 1stStaff can direct you to crane sitesas well as other area attractions.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:NEBRASKAland Magazine/NE Game & Parks Commission

Don Brockmeier

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VIEWING TIPSFor your safety & safety of the birds.

Kearney Visitors Bureau Hours

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KearneyVisitorsCenter

Nebraska StateVisitors Center

Fort KearnyHike/BikeTrail Bridge

Windmill StateRecreation Area

Kilgore Road

Elm Island Road

Lowell RoadV Road

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NEBRASKACRANE FESTIVAL

AUDUBON’S

CRANE CARNIVAL

March 22-25, 2018Holiday Inn, Kearney, Nebraska

(110 S 2nd Ave.)

To register:NEBRASKACRANEFESTIVAL.ORG

Public Viewing Sites

Historical Viewing Sites

Gravel Surface

Platte River

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Fort Kearny State Historical Park Visitors Center

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

Audubon’s Roadside Viewing Site

CPNRD Roadside Viewing Site

Audubon Rowe Sanctuary Visitors Center

CPNRD Plautz Viewing Site6

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2 0 1 8 C R A N E W AT C H-WHERE TO VIEW-

Watch for Wildlife Viewing Signage Saturday, March 10, 2018Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon, Nebraska

(44450 Elm Island Rd.)

For more crane events:VISITKEARNEY.ORG/SANDHILL-CRANES

For six weeks from late February to early April, the fascinating Sandhill CraneSpring Migration happens in the heart ofNebraska. More than 80 percent of the

world’s Sandhill Crane population convergeon Nebraska’s Platte River. The Sandhill

Cranes fly from southern wintering groundsto northern breeding grounds in Canada,Alaska and Siberia. They stop along thePlatte to rest and gain body fat as theyprepare for their journey. Fossils dating

back nine million years have been discovered in Nebraska. Other wildlife

such as Whooping Cranes, eagles, ducks,geese and shorebirds also migrate through Central Nebraska during this time. It is anenchanting sight and one that can only

be truly appreciated in person.

GreatMigrationThe

Field trips, workshops, crane viewing, speakers & other birding experiences!