1998 Sandhill Crane Migration Update
Crane Staging Area in Platte Valley
1998 Update
April 10, 1998
The return of warmer weather has started moving the cranes north again.
Large flocks are forming and leaving the region.
Early February
A very pleasant and mild January has lead to early sightings of sandhills
cranes, though not in significant numbers.
Mid February
Mild weather continues. Migration started earlier than usually leading to unusually
high numbers cranes for this time of year. The Platte River is unfrozen, so cranes
are using their traditional overnight habitat.
Normally, the first cranes arrive in mid-February. Crane numbers peak in
mid-to-late March. All Sandhill Cranes continue north to nesting areas by
mid-April.
Crane numbers are increasing, but are still low. Very warm temperatures
on the from late January to Feburary, 1st, combined with generally southern winds,
increased migration activity.
migration information of 1997
migration information of 1996