Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary — Attraction in Nebraska

I though I was going to die of frostbite, but this was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

The Audubon does great work everywhere, but this facility was special. These wise folks have developed a wholistic approach to ensuring the survival of Sandhill Cranes in an area where as many as half a million of these great birds stop along their migratory pathway from their warmer winter grounds in Texas and New Mexico to their nesting areas in the Arctic Circle. Quite the trip!

The birds have learned to stop for a few days in the Nebraska corn and wheat fields they pass along the way where they scarf up the remains of the annual human harvests (corn and wheat that have fallen to the ground), amassing the calories they need to continue to their nesting grounds way up north. The birds also patrol wet marshes for the bugs they eat for additional protein. The Audubon folks have ownership of several such corn fields/wet marshes to ensure that the birds have the food they need. After gorging during the day, all half-million of them descend into the shallows of the Platte River near Kearny, Nebraska.

These are not quiet and shy animals. Imaging hearing the cheers of a stadium full of people at a Super Bowl game -- maybe a octave higher -- for almost two straight hours without a break. That's what their bird calls sounded like while they were settling into the shallows of the Platte River, where predators such as racoons, coyotes, dogs, cats, etc., can't get them.

And we were lucky enough to have as a background one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.

For a small fee, the Audubon folks provide a briefing on the birds, walk participants to a blind (maybe 1/2 mile easy trail) that hides the presence of humans. This is essentially an open-air room may keep participants dry, but not warm. However, the Audubon folks have an adjacent warming room so those of us who are not cold-tolerant can survive the experience!

MORE THAN WORTH THE REASONABLE PRICE!!! I give the experience 6...

What an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Sandhill cranes, see them up close and be mesmerized with a morning departure of them and their evening arrival. We booked both a morning and evening guided tour and it was totally worth it. Apparently this year there is a record number of cranes on the river approaching 800,000. The work that the sanctuary is doing to preserve the Platte River and the habitat for the cranes is wonderful. For 4 fleeting weeks in the spring you can see this amazing migration.

We were here during the blizzard in March 2025 and had a tour cancelled but the facility offered to rebook us on a night when we would still be in Kearney.

The facility was new in December 2024 and is amazing. The volunteers are well informed and share their knowledge with the guests. Just ask and they will tell you.

This facility is not pet friendly so dogs have to stay in the vehicle which I totally understand.

Reservations for the educational program open in January so make sure to log in on line early. The tours...

This was my 6th or 7th trip to Rowe Sanctuary. Unfortunately, we had a guide for the evening "general" tour who instructed us to stow our camera equipment until given permission to take it out, and to stop taking photos when a red light came on in the blind. I usually reserve space in the photography blind, but could only get a spot in the general blind. I knew I'd have limited access to taking photos. With a cloudless sky, and beautiful evening light, we still hadn't received the go ahead to get our gear out. The guide eventually came around - after the best light was gone - and said he was mistaken - that he'd given us instructions usually given for the morning - not evening participants. I got zero photos. Crane viewing was fantastic, though. Just disappointed with the messed up...