Sandhill cranes are migrating through the Platte River "rest and recharge zone" from mid February until mid April. When weather conditions are suitable they will depart for their roosting areas north of the Arctic Circle in Canada, Alaska and Siberian Russia. They have been radio tracked on round-trip circuits as long as 14,000 miles!

When the cranes finally depart on their migration they ride on thermals up to between 3,000 to 5,000 feet. They will then glide to the next thermal and conserve energy on the journey. Cranes have been observed crossing mountain passes at altitudes of 20,000 feet!