KEARNEY - If you make your way through central Nebraska in the months of late winter and early spring, you’re likely going to hear the unmistakeable rattles of the Sandhill Crane, with their thin, silver silhouettes dotting the beige cornfields.

Each spring, over 600,000 cranes stop in central Nebraska, and wildlife officials consider it one of the premier wildlife spectacles in the world. Gene Hunt is the superintendent of Fort Kearney State Historical Park, and says the migration lasts just shy of two months.

“The migration begins about the 14th or 19th of February,” Hunt said. “It peaks about the third or fourth week of March, then by about April 7-9, we see large numbers of birds leaving the Platte Valley.”

Hunt says that while many birds have made their descent to central Nebraska, this is just the beginning. He says the next warm front will likely put the migration at its peak. Ideal habitat around central Nebraska, primarily near the Platte River, has led to cranes returning year after year.

“We have nice, shallow channels, which is a great place for them to roost at night,” Hunt said. “Then, during the day, we have the cornfields, so there’s lots and lots of food for them and it’s all part of why they’ve used the Platte River for estimates of 10 million years.”

A group that’s helped keep the tradition going strong, is the Crane Trust. Crane Trust Director of Fundraising and Outreach Matt Fong, explains.

“The primary purpose of the Crane Trust is to preserve habitat for the Sandhill and Whooping Crane populations during their migration in the spring,” Fong said.

The migration also is a boost for the central Nebraska economy. With people visiting from around the state, country, and even the world, Fong says it’s a great chance for the area to welcome new visitors.

“It’s amazing,” Fong said. “The number of people who come from all over the country who want to see the Sandhill Crane migration. We see people from all over the country, and even different continents as well, so it’s wonderful seeing them experience central Nebraska for such a majestic migration.”

And to that point, Hunt says the best part of his job is getting to meet people who have ventured  from far and wide, to see the cranes.

“The cranes I take as normal, but it’s the visitors we get to come in here,” Hunt said. “We get people from Europe, South America, all over the world.”

Both Hunt and Fong suggest the morning and evening hours as the best time to view the cranes, as they ascend from the Platte River to feed at dawn, and return to roost at dusk. Day time driving tours are also an option, as a way to view cranes feeding.

For more information on Sandhill Crane viewing in the central Nebraska area, stop by the Crane Trust visitors center off of I-80 near Wood River, located at 9325 S. Alda Rd, Wood River, NE., 68883 or visit the Crane Trust website at www.cranetrust.org.