Nebraska crane watching

[Bigjay73]

Has anyone visited Kearny to watch the spring crane migration? Are the public areas sufficient to get a good view? I see there's some private tours, didn't know if it was worth it to spend the dough.

 

[bigsky2]

I was working in Kearney a few years back and had no idea the crane migration was a thing there but I went out every night after work to photograph them. I just drove county roads and they were everywhere, often times close to the road.

 

[Bigjay73]

I was working in Kearney a few years back and had no idea the crane migration was a thing there but I went out every night after work to photograph them. I just drove county roads and they were everywhere, often times close to the road.

Thanks. Was it pretty amazing?

 

[bigsky2]

Yeah, definitely worth seeing. I was there in early April if I remember right.

 

[Walkathon]

@Bigjay73 PM sent

 

[bklotthor]

I am from the area, if you time it right there are tons and tons of birds out on the cornfields all over the place in that area. Along I-80 from about Grand Island west to Elm Creek seems to have the highest densities. The private tours are pretty cool too, growing up we would go on grade school field trips to Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon. I would think driving county roads near the river would allow you to see quite a bit of activity both on the river and in the private fields they fly to.

Another Spring bird viewing location that is gaining in popularity around here are the pelicans on Harlan County Reservoir which is about a 50 minute drive south of Kearney.

 

[BrentD]

I've camped in a campground over there somewhere. The flights right over the campground to a roosting bar on the river were mind boggling and there were trails down to the river and even a foot bridge as I recall that made viewing very easy. After a few hours of it however, you will start spending more time looking at the ducks that are in the area as well. I don't recall the park with the campground, but it was a small area on the south side of the river. Near Kearny or Grand Island, I forget which. Kearny would be my guess.

During the day, as others have said, they are found all over the local cornfields and up next to roads for easy viewing.

Might head north to see chickens lekking after you get tired of cranes.

 

[Bigjay73]

Thanks to all for the replies