Birds of Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Where the Platte River Brings Birds Together

While we are best known for providing world-class opportunities to experience the spring Sandhill Crane and Whooping Crane migration, Rowe Sanctuary is a continentally important area for birds and serves as a stronghold for over 240 species year-round. Our open-access river discovery stations provide excellent opportunities to observe the shallow waters and wide, braided nature of the Platte River, along with millions of waterfowl like geese, ducks, swans, and pelicans. You can also watch as hundreds of eagles hunt on the river during the winter months, and a diverse mix of shorebirds and seabirds forage on sandbars following the crane migration.  

Along the banks of the river, our lowland mixed-grass prairies are a great place to spot grassland birds. Check out our feeders from the Audubon center for sparrows, nuthatches, blackbirds, woodpeckers, and finches. From our wetland observation deck, you can search for marsh birds and riparian breeding birds such as flycatchers, warblers, vireos, orioles, and mimids.  

These birds are at the heart of everything we do- from habitat management to regional advocacy and educational programming. Rowe Sanctuary staff host a wide array of year-round programs that highlight these species. To learn more about these birds and Audubon’s conservation work to protect them, visit the links below.  

Check out our eBird Hotspot for recent bird sightings at Rowe Sanctuary.