Spring Magic in Nebraska
March 17-21, 2023
American Serengeti Series
Some people regard Nebraska as flyover country – a state to be missed as you move from one coast to the other. We wholeheartedly disagree.
Every March, Nebraska becomes home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America. More than half a million Sandhill Cranes, the world’s largest congregation of cranes, converges on the Platte River Valley in Nebraska. Joining the Sandhill Cranes are another 20 million birds – waterfowl, shorebirds, and the endangered Whooping Crane. They stop to rest and refuel in the adjacent Rainwater Basin before continuing further north to their summer breeding grounds. So many birds are here during spring migration that vast expanses of open sky are filled with sounds of flapping wings and a chorus of calls.
At the same time, male Greater Prairie-Chickens gather at ancient breeding grounds and compete for the chance to mate in Nebraska’s prairie grasslands. Their raucous displays include stomping, booming, whooping, and sparring. With exposed tail coverts and balloon-like air sacs flashing orange and yellow, few performances in the bird world are more memorable than this dawn dance of chickens.
We’ll spend five days exploring Nebraska’s wildlife hotspots. We have strategically selected areas away from crowds so that we have the time and space to truly enjoy these wildlife spectacles in true Reefs to Rockies style. We’ll travel in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. This is not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time.
Get ready for Spring Magic in Nebraska!
About Your Expedition Leader: Reefs to Rockies Co-Founder Sheridan Samano is thrilled to guide this small group expedition to the Great Plains of Nebraska, one of the country’s most unexpected wildlife hotspots. The Great Plains, often referred to as the American Serengeti, are one of the most threatened, the most altered, and least protected habitats in the world. Sheridan’s love for the Great Plains will be unmistakable as she takes you into the heart of what makes this region so special. Local guides will join us throughout making for an enriching and unforgettable wildlife experience.
Conservation Impact: The Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT), founded in 1998, creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, ensuring a future for native flora and fauna. A donation to SPLT to aid in their land acquisition efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Fri, March 17) – Denver/ Ogallala
Morning departure from Denver for drive to Nebraska’s Platte River Valley with birding stops along the way. We’ll spend time this afternoon searching for cranes feeding in fields adjacent to the North Platte River. In the last hour of daylight, we’ll watch as flocks of cranes return to their nightly roost sites, our first introduction to the magnitude of this annual wildlife spectacle.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express and Suites – Ogallala
Meals: Lunch
Day 2 (Sat, March 18) – Ogallala/ North Platte
We have the morning to continue birding area hotspots as we make our way east to North Platte, a city rich in history located at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers. Here, the two rivers becomes the Platte.
This afternoon, we’ll embark on a guided bus tour with our local guide exploring Platte River Valley backroads between North Platte and Hershey. We’ll stop when we find large groups of Sandhill Cranes so that there’s time to learn about their natural history while observing and photographing this charismatic species.
Accommodations: Tru by Hilton – North Platte
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 (Sun, March 19) – North Platte
Today begins early with a visit to a nearby ranch that’s home to Greater Prairie-Chickens. Before sunrise, males start arriving to this historic lek, a place where multiple males gather during mating season and engage in competitive displays. Our blind is close to the action so we can observe the interactions between the alpha male and his challengers.
This evening, we’ll head a short distance out of town to a viewing blind located at a prime location along the shore of the North Platte River. We’ll arrive in time to see Sandhill Cranes return from their daytime foraging areas to roost in the river for the night. This evening experience is sure to delight all your senses.
Accommodations: Tru by Hilton – North Platte
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 (Mon, March 20) – North Platte/ McCook
After a later start this morning, we’ll explore area wildlife hotspots in search of migrating flocks and other regional highlights on our way to McCook. We’ll hear tales of Greater Prairie-Chickens this evening from an engaging storyteller before our farewell dinner downtown.
Accommodations: Cobblestone Hotel and Suites – McCook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 (Tues, March 21) – McCook/ Denver
No two leks are the same so we’ll wake before dawn again and head to another Nebraska ranch for a morning with dancing chickens. After a hearty mid-morning breakfast in McCook, we’ll start making our way back to Denver. There’s time for birding and wildlife viewing en route. Stops will be determined based on recent sightings and the group’s interests.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
DETAILS
Price: $2250* per person based upon two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. Add $330* if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.
Inclusions: accommodations in a standard room, meals as listed (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners), private transportation from Denver in a custom American safari van, expedition leader, daily birding and wildlife viewing with spotting scope available, activities as listed, and additional local guides (for crane tours and leks). A donation to Southern Plains Land Trust to aid in their land acquisition efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: transportation to/from the meeting point in northeast Denver, travel insurance, 2 dinners, optional activities and gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
*Price is based on payment by check. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of payment based on card used.
Group Size: 5-7 participants + expedition leader (Sheridan Samano from Reefs to Rockies).
Level of Difficulty – Easy to Moderate. March weather in Nebraska can be cold and windy and that’s what makes this trip skew to a moderate designation. It’s not the physical demands of the bird walks, but instead the possibility of cold temperatures and wind. Bird walks will typically be less than 1 mile in length with a duration of 30 minutes to an hour over mostly flat ground. Blind sessions last approximately 2 hours each.
Photo credit for image of Sheridan Samano at Grand Tetons National Park ~ Robert Martinez.