Hey all,
This morning we conducted our last aerial survey of the spring crane migration. We did not see any cranes on our flight so our official count is 0 for week 9. However, thanks to Rowe Sanctuary’s river cam, we do know that there were around 1,000 cranes left on the river before first light. These cranes all left for the fields before we flew over. Since we did not count more than 5,000 cranes on our flight we’re not going to fly a week 10 survey. This concludes the first marathon of flights spanning from Fall 2025 through Winter to Spring 2026. A total of 16 surveys since October allowed us to record the largest group of overwintering Sandhill Cranes on the Platte in recorded history (35,000) and follow the cranes during the dry early onset of spring. Many cranes are currently approaching their new homes for the summer in the northern U.S. However, large numbers are likely somewhat scattered, nearing the wilderness of Canada, deep into their migration with thousands of miles still to go. Though we stay in place here in Nebraska, we know our impact reaches landscapes we will likely never see.
The cranes clearly add excitement and draw attention to this area of the world, but a more subtle energy fills the prairies the rest of the year. While the cranes leave us for their destination, the Platte is the destination for hundreds of species of breeding birds relying on the grasslands and wetlands surrounding the river. Elsa (Wildlife Biologist, aerial survey data-taker, AKA Forsbird) and I (Bethany, Lead Biologist, AKA The Crane Counter) are looking forward to a season of grounded bird surveys (We are grounded; the birds are not). As such the work on the ground continues, protecting and learning from the river we call home.
Till the cranes return,
Stewards and Scientists of the Platte