Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Nebraska Cranes in March
Date: Dec 30 06:58:12 2009
From: Pterodroma at aol.com - Pterodroma at aol.com


This is truly one of the most amazing avian spectacles I have ever
witnessed in my life. Although I am a native of NW Missouri, and always meant to
make the relatively short few hour drive to see it one day but never got
around to it, I only stumbled upon this just by chance some ten years ago
(early to mid March) when driving from Missouri to Seattle via I-80. I pulled
off the Interstate in the early afternoon at a rest stop near Kearny for a
nap, but before I could doze off, I realized that there were swarms of
geese, and even cranes flying around. Perking up and looking closer, there
weren't just a few, but a LOT. Skip the nap, dude, new found adrenaline
flowing, this meant some urgent exploration, get OFF the Interstate, and
wander around the countryside, particularly south of I-80. This ended up
delaying my Seattle bound schedule by some SIX hours (a full day really) and I
stayed on 'til after sunset including, again by chance, stumbling upon the
Rowe Sanctuary.

The sunset spectacle along the Platte River was the most memorable, the
sights, the sounds, of literally tens upon tens upon tens of thousands of
Sandhill Cranes coming in from all directions darkening the skies and filling
the crisp clean Nebraska air with sights and sounds I shall never forget as
they swarmed and hovered overhead and descended into the night roost along
the Platte River. I think there were official estimates of some 500,000
Sandhill Cranes around at that particular and most fortuitous moment of good
timing. Waterfowl too, countless tens of thousands of Snow,
White-fronted, and Canada Geese, and a full compliment of duck species further doubled
or tripled the avian volume all of which very nearly overwhelms the senses.
I didn't spend a lot of time actually at the Rowe Sanctuary, nor visited
any blinds, but was way more satisfied than I could have ever imagined in
just roaming and exploring the Nebraska back roads, watching the skies,
scoping the fields, and the river. All in all, this chance visit was perfect in
every way, the weather, calm winds, and a show stopping sunset that only
the Great Plains of Nebraska could ever offer up.

This is one of those things, if you haven't experienced already, should be
at or near the top of any birders "things to do before I die" list.

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue (Eastgate), WA