Platte
River Cranes
March
22-28, 2010
Nearly half a million Sandhill Cranes descend upon the broad valley of the Platte River from late February until early April. By March, approximately 80% of the world’s lesser Sandhill Cranes crowd a 150 mile stretch of the river, the largest gathering of cranes anywhere in the world. Here they rest and feed to gain energy before continuing their migration to breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska and Siberia. Among the cranes are a few of their rare and elegant cousins, the endangered Whooping Cranes.
Early spring brings an added bonus to our visit to America’s heartland. It is time for Greater Prairie Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse to boom and strut in their age old rituals of courtship. NEW for this year’s journey is a two night stay at a private ranch north of Kearney, where we have access to blinds to witness displays of these two elusive species!
To top it all off, adjacent wetlands of the Rainwater Basin serve as stopover grounds for over 10 million ducks and geese, now bright in breeding plumage. The number of Ross’ and Snow Geese can boggle the mind! Don’t miss a chance to witness one of Earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles – in the rural heartland of America.
ITINERARY
Mon., March 22 Arrival in Omaha, Nebraska
Arrive in Omaha, Nebraska by 1:00 PM today. We depart for a scenic drive along the Loup River, through Dannebrog up to our lodgings on a private ranch near Calamus Reservoir at Taylor. For those that need to arrive early in Omaha to meet us by 1:00 PM, we recommend the Magnolia Hotel, a historic property downtown, close to Omaha’s fun Market Square. We also recommend taking in the excellent Joslyn Art Museum. If you prefer, there are also several hotels near the airport. Note that several of these are listed as being in Carter Lake, Iowa as the airport is right on the Nebraska state border, the Missouri River being the dividing line.
Accommodations at Calamus Outfitters, Taylor, NE (D)
Tues., March 23 Prairie Chickens Booming! / Calamus Reservoir
This morning we arise before dawn to be able to witness the spring courtship rites of Greater Prairie Chickens. By this time in March they have started their dawn-hour dancing and booming at lek (dancing ground) display sites. Sharp-tailed Grouse may also be displaying at these sites. With luck, we’ll also hear a dawn concert of Western Meadowlarks and watch Northern Harriers hunting near the lek site.
Our hosts at Calamus Outfitters have set up a great system for observing Greater Prairie Chickens at close range. Our blind is an old school bus and the birds are right outside the windows!
By 8:00 – 9:00 AM, activity at the lek will diminish and we return to the ranch for a delicious hot breakfast. After a break, we drive around Calamus Reservoir, stopping at various fishing access points, some with trails, to find a variety of birds. We are likely to see Bald Eagles and a good variety of ducks – all bright in breeding plumage. White Pelicans may pass as chevrons in the sky, and with luck we’ll find some of the first spring migrants such as Eastern Bluebirds or Eastern Phoebes. We enjoy lunch in town, sampling a bit of Nebraska rural life.
After the early morning rising, a nap or quiet time is likely in order for mid-afternoon. Late afternoon we take a drive up a nearby creek where warm springs provide open water for waterfowl and Horned Larks feed on prairie hillsides that line the road. Wild Turkey and possible Long-eared Owls may be present on the ranch as well. As evening approaches we watch sunset over the prairie and enjoy dinner at our lodgings.
Accommodations at Calamus Outfitters, Taylor, NE (B,L,D)
Wed., March 24 Sharp-tailed Grouse Strutting! / Platte River Cranes
This morning we venture out early to witness the annual spring courtship rites of another elusive grassland species, the Sharp-tailed Grouse. It is remarkable to have displays of two species available for our viewing with such ease. The spring air is brisk, so we bundle up to drive out to another set of school bus blinds, and return again for a great hot breakfast. Killdeers call from the yard, and with luck we may have a Rough-legged Hawk pass by overhead.
After breakfast, we drive south to Kearney, Nebraska and the Platte River. We travel local farm roads, arriving in Kearney in time for lunch at a favorite local restaurant and a chance to see the local art museum nearby. We settle into our lodgings for the next three nights, then go right out to Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary where an impressive and eco-friendly visitor center lists the latest sightings and provides us an excellent introduction to crane biology. En route we observe Sandhill Cranes that feed in the fields for as far as the eye can see. Enjoy time to photograph and study crane behavior.
We plan dinners at your leisure in Kearney as experience shows us that some prefer a larger meal at noon and light early supper, while others prefer to dine when the day is done. The manager at our hotel has a nice early evening reception and there is a restaurant across the parking lot with good food, and food service to go. At dusk we venture out to watch the cranes return to roosts along the river -- the whir of wings and cacophony of calls create unforgettable memories. We watch them tonight from the Fort Kearney or Gibbon River Bridge.
Accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express, Kearney. (B,L)
Thurs, March 25 The Spectacle of Platte River Cranes
In the early morning hours the sandbars of the Platte River become a riot of noise as the cranes awaken from their island roost sites. We have reserved blinds at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary for prime views of the cranes in areas along the river’s edge. With an expert crane naturalist from Audubon, experience the deafening chorus and clamor of tens of thousands of cranes. A tangle of wings, necks and beaks unfurl each morning, as cranes move out to feed in the corn and Milo fields. After watching this exciting spectacle, we take time to view the displays at the sanctuary and to watch birds at the feeders: Harris and White-throated Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatches, and possibly Red-bellied Woodpeckers. We also may find Green-winged Teals or some early migrating shorebirds feeding on the river’s mudflats. The remainder of the morning we spend viewing more crane activity in the fields, returning to Kearney for a lunch in town.
In the afternoon we visit historic Fort Kearney to learn more about the pioneers of the Oregon and Mormon Trails. In trees near the fort we look for wintering and resident passerine birds such as Cedar Waxwings, Northern Cardinals, and Bluejays, while keeping an eye out along the river for the majestic Bald Eagles that frequent the Platte. Tonight you can choose to relax and savor the spectacle of this morning, or venture back out at sunset to watch the cranes come into roost from another nearby vantage point. Those going back out can catch something to eat quickly and close to the hotel. Those at leisure can enjoy dinner at a local steakhouse or another restaurant in Kearney. The hotel restaurant will even deliver your meal to go if you wish to tuck in after a full day.
Accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express, Kearney (B,L)
Fri., March 26 Cranes and Ducks galore….
Today we enjoy a more leisurely morning after several early awakenings. Mid-morning, we drive south to lakes and ponds of the famous Rainwater Basin, one of the west’s most important areas for migrant waterfowl. We hope to find over a dozen species of waterfowl, and with luck we’ll find some of the thousands of wintering Snow and Ross’ Geese still lingering. The sheer number of birds in these ponds defies the imagination. As we circle back through farm fields and roads, we have a chance to watch crane behavior in detail. Watch for dancing, strutting, feeding, resting, and other flock dynamics.
Enjoy lunch at a delightful local café in Minden. Returning, we check the feeders at Rowe Sanctuary to see if we can find Harris’ Sparrows or Cedar Waxwings. We also point our scopes towards the Platte River in search of migrant shorebirds. We return for a break and an early dinner in Kearney, as tonight we have blinds reserved for the evening fly-in so we can be close to hear the cranes magical sounds and to see the pageantry of wings with a sunset background.
Accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express, Kearney (B,L)
Sat., March 27 Grand Island / Crane Meadows / In Search of Whooping Cranes
Farm roads parallel the course of the Platte between Kearney and Grand Island and today we drive out to observe cranes in the field. Many of the groups are restless at this time of year and displace their energies with dancing, calling and other displays. Many years, a Whooping Crane or a Whooping Crane family will have arrived by now and we network with colleagues and other observers to try for a sighting. Enjoy coffee and a break at the Crane Meadows Nature Center (Wings Over the Platte). Harris Sparrows, Black-billed Magpies, Eastern Phoebes and Eastern Bluebirds are some of the birds we may find in vicinity of the nature center.
In the afternoon we’ll see what the interests of the group are and perhaps visit the Arch Museum or the local Museum of Nebraska Art. We then celebrate our great week with cranes at a favorite local restaurant located in a historic farmhouse inn – see our write up from past trips on www.epicureanbirder.com.
Accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express, Kearney (B,L,D)
Sun., March 28 Departures
We have about a three hour journey back to Omaha today, so plan on flights out after 2:00 PM. We can also drop you downtown at the Magnolia or other hotel, or at an airport hotel of your choosing if you plan to stay on. (B,L)
GUIDES
Your guide for the Journey will be Ed Pembleton, a long-time colleague of Naturalist Journeys’ owner Peg Abbott. Peg worked with Ed when he was National Audubon’s lead staff person on water and wildlife issues in their Platte River High Priority Campaign. He and his wife Sil, a professional educator have years of experience with prairies and rivers and together they welcome you to the Platte!
PACE of the JOURNEY
The Platte River trip does not involve any extensive hiking. There are walks available over uneven but fairly level terrain. To participate fully you will need to be able to walk at least a half-mile out to several of the river viewpoints and on nature center trails. The trip does involve early rising on several days so that we can position ourselves in blinds by sunrise. On those days we make time for afternoon siestas. We consider the trip leisurely in terms of walking but moderate in terms of temperature and full field days with the early risings and getting in and out of our vans. We can guarantee that sunrise and the spectacle you witness are well worth the effort!
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Tour Cost/Travel Arrangements:
Cost of the journey is $1995.00, from Omaha, NE. This is based on double occupancy and includes airport transfers, all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, local park and refuge fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. It does not include round trip airfare to or from Omaha, or items of a personal nature such as porterage, laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, or other personal services. Cost of the journey is based on a minimum of 8 people, with fewer a small group surcharge (typically $100-$300) may apply. Single supplement is $395.00.
Travel Planning
You are responsible for planning your arrival to and departure from Omaha, Nebraska. Please plan to arrive in Omaha no later than 1:00 PM. on Mon., March 22. Please plan on departures after 2:00 PM on Sun, March 28th.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery.
Photo Credits:
Cranes in water, Alex Vargo; Sandhill Cranes, C. Wheeler
McDougal, Jr; Sandhill Cranes in flight, C.Wheeler McDougal,
Jr; Bald Eagle, C. Wheeler McDougal, Jr; all other photos
by Peg Abbott. |
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