| Every spring, they come...
At sunrise and sunset, the old railroad bridge a mile north of Fort Kearny is the ideal place to watch the cranes. Plan on arriving a half hour before sunrise and staying a half hour after sunset. Seats and parking are plentiful. Another good location for watching the cranes leave and come back to the roost is the south bridge over the Platte River on Highway 10 -- park your car just south of the bridge. During the day, the cranes feed in the cornfields along Highways 50A and 10. It's important that you stay in your car to watch the birds; they are extremely wary of persons on foot. |
A half million of them. Most of the sandhill
cranes on this earth. And for a long, splendid month in March and early
April, they live and dance along the Platte River north of Minden,
Nebraska. There may be a whooping crane among them, traveling along to
the Arctic nesting grounds. Together, these magnificent birds represent
one of Nature's most unforgettable spectacles.Looking
East from unused RR bridge over the Platte River.  (Click on picture to see larger version.) |
Looking
East from South Bridge on Nebraska Highway 10. (Click on picture to see larger version.) |
Looking
South from Audubon Observation Tower. (Click on picture to see larger version.) |
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| During the day, the cranes feed and dance in the cornfields. The Audubon Society owns 800 acres and leases another 1200 acres along eight miles of the Platte River, beginning about ten miles straight north of the Pioneer Village at the Highway 10 bridge -- an ideal place to initiate yourself to the joys of crane watching. The south branch of the river in this general vicinity is the crane's nightly home, especially in areas of shallow water and few trees. |
Ten miles north and two miles west of the Pioneer Village Motel, Fort Kearny lies in the heart of prime crane watching territory. Try to catch one of Gene Hunt's daily lectures on cranes or the crane-watching film shown regularly in the Fort's auditorium during March. As the park's superintendent, Gene knows whereof he speaks. Call him at 308-865-5305 for more information. |
Sunset and sunrise are the ideal crane-watching times, as the birds come to roost on the Platte River and then leave again at dawn.
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| Crane
watchers simply cannot find a more convenient, more comfortable base of
operations than the Pioneer Village Motel at Minden, ten miles south of
the Audubon Crane Sanctuary. In addition to modern, well-furnished,
attractive rooms at competitive rates and delicious meals in the
adjoining Pioneer Village Restaurant, guests of the Pioneer Village
Motel enjoy unlimited access to its namesake for just a single admission
fee. The Pioneer Village Camping Area is also available during the
crane-viewing season, but water will not yet be turned on.
Harold Warp Pioneer Village is Nebraska's most popular attraction. Over the years, millions of visitors have learned at first hand how America grew. With over 350 antique cars, 100 antique tractors, 20 early flying machines, 28 buildings including 20 furnished rooms of the past and more than 50,000 items of historical and cultural interest, Pioneer Village is a window on the way things used to be. |
Harold Warp Pioneer Village is Nebraska's most popular attraction. Over the years, millions of visitors have learned at first hand how America grew. With over 350 antique cars, 100 antique tractors, 20 early flying machines, 28 buildings including 20 furnished rooms of the past and more than 50,000 items of historical and cultural interest, Pioneer Village is a window on the way things used to be. Watch for demonstrations of old-time crafts like spinning, rug and broom making, etc. (demonstrations may vary). And for crane watchers staying at the Pioneer Village Motel, it's all yours to enjoy for just $9.50 with complimentary second-day passes available during your visit to Crane Country this spring. |
70% of 500,000 cranes can be
seen 10 miles north of |
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