Birdwatching

Rainwater Basin is known internationally for its significance to migratory birds.  Millions of birds funnel into the Basin on their northward migration each spring. The more impressive species, by their shear numbers, are white-fronted geese, mallards, pintails, snow geese, and sandhill cranes.  

Spring migration path (blue area).  

Birds from coastal areas of the United States and Mexico stop and rest in the Rainwater Basin area (map) of Nebraska before traveling northward to their nesting grounds.

Ninety percent of the continental population of white-fronted geese, nearly 50% of the continental mallard population and 30% of the continental pintail population use the Rainwater Basin for rest and food. 

Many types of shorebirds migrate through the area during April and May and again in August and September.  Some common species include both greater and lesser yellowlegs, dowitchers, Wilson's phalarope, pectoral sandpiper, common snipe, and peeps.  Best viewing times are in May when drying wetlands expose insect- and plant-rich mudflats.

Wading birds also use the area because of the shallow wetland depths and abundance of food.  Throughout the spring and summer months, great blue heron, cattle egret, snowy egret, great egret, night heron, white-faced ibis, and American bittern can be found.

Endangered whooping cranes migrate through southern Nebraska in the spring and fall, using the wetlands during their migration.  A bird list for the District is available.

The American Birding Association published an informative article in its July/August 2005 newsletter (Winging It) about the birding opportunities in the Rainwater Basin.  The author, Joel Jorgenson, has been doing his Master's work on the buff-breasted sandpiper's use of the Rainwater Basin.

Sandhill Cranes

From about the first of March to mid-April, sandhill cranes concentrate along the stretch of the Platte River extending from Overton to Grand Island, Nebraska.  The cranes, numbering about 500,000, stay for four to six weeks to feed on waste corn and insects.  The braided river provides numerous protective sandbars for roosting.  Birdwatchers from all over the world come to watch the birds return to the river each evening.  Although the Service does not provide crane viewing blinds, other organizations do.  Viewing opportunities can be obtained from Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary.

Last updated: October 9, 2008

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