The numbers should continue to climb in the coming weeks, peaking in mid-March. Although the number of cranes coming to the area has increased in recent years, experts are concerned that icy conditions and lack of resources like wetlands and corn could cause that number to fall. Sandhill cranes usually roost on and along the river. When ice starts to break up, it could create problems for the cranes. Cranes probably will attempt to roost on cleared islands or in wet meadows.
Wet meadows are a limited resource in Nebraska.
So far, this decline in resources has failed to affect the sandhill crane population but experts are keeping a careful eye on the situation, Davis said. The other major concern is the decrease in corn availability. Because farm machinery has become more efficient, less corn is left in the fields after harvest for cranes to eat. Cranes are forced to fly farther from the river in search of food, using more of their energy. This means that they might not be in as good of body condition for their flight north.