Changes in Seasonal Use of the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska, by Sandhill Cranes

Authors

• Bethany L. Ostrom, Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance TrustFollow

Date of this Version

9-26-2026

Document Type

Article

Citation

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 46, 8-16

Comments

Copyright © 2026, Bethany L. Olstrom. Used by permission

Abstract

Recent environmental change has altered migration timing and winter distribution of many bird species, including Sandhill Cranes. Historically, the Central Platte River Valley in Nebraska functioned primarily as a spring staging area for the midcontinent population, with limited fall use and rare overwintering events. I examined records of Sandhill Crane occurrences during October to January in the Central Platte River Valley from 2015-2026 using incidental observations and aerial surveys starting in 2024. Overwintering Sandhill Cranes were documented in 7 of 11 Dec/Jan, with unprecedented increases observed since 2023, peaking with approximately 42,000 Sandhill Cranes in January of 2026, the largest known overwintering congregation recorded in Nebraska. Use during Oct/Nov also increased substantially, with at least 7 years exceeding the historical norm of 10,000 Sandhill Cranes. Statistical comparisons found warmer winters were marginally associated with overwintering Sandhill Cranes. The increasing use of the Platte River throughout October to January likely reflect multiple factors, including drought, weather instability, increased hunting pressure in southern wintering ranges, warmer regional winters, abundant food resources, and reduced migration distances when overwintering the Central Platte River Valley. Continued increased use from October to January could have important ecological and management implications, including resource depletion prior to spring migration and increased roosting density within limited high-quality roosting habitat. Our observations highlight the need for systematic fall and winter monitoring and adaptive habitat conservation in the Central Platte River Valley under changing climatic conditions.