Today we counted 13,120+/-1,950 Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River, predominantly near Mormon and Shoemaker Islands, Hall County, NE.We also counted 47,100 dark geese spread throughout our survey path (Chapman to Overton, NE) as well as 21 Trumpeter Swans and 28 Bald Eagles. We count additional species during the first and last two weeks of our survey season as Sandhill Crane and Whooping Crane numbers are generally lower at this time. In all, we count dark geese, Trumpeter Swans, and Bald Eagles in mid-February and American White Pelicans in mid-April in addition to both North American crane species. The Sandhill Cranes here now will have to tolerate some cold temperatures tomorrow (02-19-20), but conditions should improve toward the weekend and look good for incoming migration on Friday and Saturday if weather patterns remain as forecasted.
