Ticket sales are now open for this year’s great Sandhill Crane Migration at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, NE.
Here in Wyoming, we are just a few hours away from this annual migration spectacle that has taken place for millions of years along the Platte River. Just east of us, Central Nebraska is the epicenter of Sandhill Crane migration, drawing thousands of tourists to communities like Gibbon, Grand Island, and Kearney NE each spring. Tours start in March and run through early April. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure not to miss this opportunity if you plan on viewing. Crane numbers generally peak during mid to late March.
Whether you purchase tickets or not, thousands of cranes may be viewed feeding in cornfields throughout the area during the day, and opportunities to view them along the Platte River are available each morning and evening. The Sandhill Cranes return to the shallow bars of the Platte River each evening to roost, leaving again at dawn to feed in the area. A lucky few might even see a Whooping Crane; often found flying with the Sandhills as they stop over in Central Nebraska to rest and refuel.
Can’t make it there in person? No problem! Rowe Sanctuary has a free “Crane Cam” powered by EXPLORE.org that allows you to view the migration from the comfort of your home. Remember to view at dawn and dusk to see thousands of cranes on the Platte River.
Another opportunity to see the Sandhill Cranes will happen closer to home in late March when CHPAS schedules their annual guided field trip to Table Mountain near Torrington, WY. More about this trip in future posts.
**********************
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary: https://rowe.audubon.org/
Rowe Sanctuary “Crane Cam”: https://explore.org/livecams/national-audubon-society/crane-camera
This is a free event open to the public. Everyone, no matter what your birding skills, is invited. 
Sophie A. H. Osborn is an award-winning environmental writer and wildlife biologist whose work has included the study and conservation of more than a dozen bird species in the Americas. She contributed to reintroduction efforts for several endangered birds and served as the field manager for the California Condor Recovery Program in Arizona for four years.
This is a free event open to the public. Everyone, no matter what your birding skills, is invited. 
Did you know that our Audubon Chapter adopted a section of the Cheyenne Greenway in 1992? We clean the creek and grounds from the U.S. 30 Underpass to Rawlins Street twice annually; in spring and fall. But did you know the history of this area adoption? 
vegetation near the creek. While we generally support the use of goats for weed control, we want to thank the members who contacted us about the placement of goats this spring. Rather than controlling noxious weeds like Leafy Spurge, they were eating trees (like Cottonwood, above) and shrubs that were planted to benefit wildlife. CHPAS representatives intend to meet with the City of Cheyenne to discuss the proper use of goats along the Dry Creek area and throughout our parks. Watch our website for a Position Statement on using goats for weed control, currently in development. 
CHPAS needs volunteers to help monitor 16 nestboxes at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens’ High Plains Arboretum. Each survey takes about an hour and involves 1.5-miles of walking on mostly flat gravel roads and prairie grasses, with some unmown tall grasses.
We will leave the Lions Park parking lot south of the Children’s Village at 1 p.m. Carpooling should be available for the 40-mile drive to the trailhead. Be prepared for snowy conditions. The trip is free, open to the public, and non-birders of all ages are encouraged to join us to learn about the birds we see.
Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon Society 