The Birdwatching Regions

Sandsage Prairie

Harry Strunk Lake offers canyon, sky and water vistas as well as miles of walking trails for wildlife viewing. On this loop you’ll also drive along the scenic Republican River basin to Red Willow Reservoir, offering a rich habitat for wildlife that draws birds that soar and many other animal species.

Loess Canyons

Rivers, rains and winds dissected and eroded the high tablelands south of the Platte River in central Nebraska to carve the rugged, scenic Loess Canyons. Here, in April, May and early June, lucky birders can see prairie chickens “dance” on their traditional breeding grounds.

Medicine Creek

A habitat mix of towering cottonwoods, brushy seed and fruit bearing perennials, moist bottomlands and moving water draws a mix of wildlife. Water birds may be spotted along the river and many species of woodland songbirds nest in the deciduous, ancient trees along the Republican.

Rainwater Basin

The rainwater basins of Central Nebraska provide spring migration habitat for about 6 million snow geese and a million Canada geese as well as 5-7 million ducks, and well over a million Sandhill cranes. Nearly half the mallard population rests here before continuing north to nesting grounds.

Republican River

The Republican River Valley is where you’ll find broad vistas of gently rolling hills carpeted with sage and long grass. Join us as we look for birds in virgin prairie and croplands, along the river and riparian wetlands, and on the shores of Harlan County Reservoir – Nebraska’s second largest lake.