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RV6 - Posted - 03/20/2026: 15:18:48
For folks who like Sandhill Cranes, here's a link to Rowe Sanctuary on the Platte River in central Nebraska: webcamexplore.com/countries/un...ll-cranes
I grew up hearing these cranes and always enjoyed watching and listening to themwhen I lived in Lexington, NE. They're very rare here in north central Wyoming.
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/20/2026: 15:36:49
First time driving down I-80 along the Platte River in the spring I wondered what all the bird noise was about, not being aware of the Sandhill Cranes.
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/20/2026 15:38:54
Owen - Posted - 03/20/2026: 16:06:07
We had a few of them nesting in our area of beautiful west-central Man-ee-toe-bah .... hear them more than see them.
Some years ago we considered going to Nebraska to check them out, but ... coulda / woulda / shoulda. 
slammer - Posted - 03/20/2026: 18:06:57
Love the sound of those birds, especially when they are a mile high in the sky and you finally spot them and they are just dots in the sky. Their sound really carries. Never had one (yet) but I hear they are great eating …….aka (ribeye of the sky) . I do know my farmer relatives absolutely hate them and the damage they do while seeding crops.
Slammer!!!
randybartlett - Posted - 03/20/2026: 18:31:36
They live in my lake neighborhood all summer (Michigan). Always good to participant in a nice sunset photo for us. Toward summer's end, they lose all fear and just walk around our yards and sidewalks. I had one come and sit down beside me while I was building a deck once.
Wet Spaniel - Posted - 03/20/2026: 21:50:03
Wow, that’s a lot of cranes! When they migrate/travel en masse do they fly in a V formation like geese do?
slammer - I’ve heard them called ribeye’s too, I’d also like to see if the name is fitting.
banjowannabe - Posted - 03/21/2026: 04:04:20
I already have a pair staking out their nesting site in the adjacent swamp. They wander around here with their little fuzzball chicks in mid spring. When you hear a terrible ruckus it's usually because the coyotes think the chicks look like a good appetizer. Half the time the cranes win. As to being ribeye's, they are protected here in Michigan under federal migratory bird laws. Some states do have hunting seasons, but I'm leery of meat-eating birds. Sandhill cranes are omnivores. They'll eat mice, other birds, frogs, etc. as well as grains, seeds, and fruits.
slammer - Posted - 03/22/2026: 06:55:29
Wet Spaniel
Hey Jonty, yes , Sandhills cranes do fly in the V formation like geese.
When geese fly in the V formation, you’ll notice one side of the V is always longer than the other. Do you know the scientific reason for this??? Huh?
Well, there’s more geese on one side!!!
Slammer!!!
Wet Spaniel - Posted - 03/22/2026: 08:29:45
quote:
Originally posted by slammer
Wet Spaniel
Hey Jonty, yes , Sandhills cranes do fly in the V formation like geese.
When geese fly in the V formation, you’ll notice one side of the V is always longer than the other. Do you know the scientific reason for this??? Huh?
Well, there’s more geese on one side!!!
Slammer!!!
I'll get your coat! 
over here, a group of geese on the ground are a flock, as soon as the group takes off they become a skein - magic eh?
AndrewD - Posted - 03/22/2026: 09:00:37
quote:
Originally posted by slammer
Wet Spaniel
Hey Jonty, yes , Sandhills cranes do fly in the V formation like geese.
When geese fly in the V formation, you’ll notice one side of the V is always longer than the other. Do you know the scientific reason for this??? Huh?
Well, there’s more geese on one side!!!
Slammer!!!
I regularly see skeins of geese flying between Epping Forest and the Lea valley marshes. Very occasionally the V IS symmetrical. This is expected if you assume that a) you need an odd number of geese to achieve this, and b) the chances of a goose joining the short or long arm are random. Example: with 11 geese there are 22 possibilities. Only one is a symmetrical V.
