Coordinated Spring Survey Of Mid-Continent Sandhill Cranes 2025

The primary purposes of the Mid-continent Sandhill Crane Survey (MCSHC) are to provide an annual index of the mid-continent sandhill crane abundance, track population trends, and describe migration staging distribution and habitat use along the central Platte River Valley in Nebraska. The data collected during the MCSHC survey is central to the development of annual sandhill crane hunting regulations in the Central Flyway. The data from the MCSHC also serve several other uses that, although not envisioned when the survey was initiated, have become very important as the methodology and coverage have improved. The data collected during the MCSHC provides unique species-and scale-specific information for management. The uses have evolved far beyond those initially envisioned and have been invaluable not only for assessing population status, but also for the conservation of migration and wintering habitats throughout the Central Flyway.