Rainwater  Basin

One of the great natural wonders of the world is the migration of birds from their wintering areas in the south.  Each spring these creatures are filled with the urge to move north to the grounds where they have nested through the ages.  Seemingly from all our southern shores the waterfowl begin their northward trek, gradually coming closer together as they reach the center of the United States and then once again fanning out in all directions after moving through southern Nebraska.  The migration path is shaped like an hourglass and located right in the center and most narrow part of the path is the Rainwater Basin. This rather flat area is dotted with small lagoons or basins with hard clay bottoms.  The basins provide both food and rest to these migrants.   Typically in February but perhaps as early as January geese begin to arrive.  Every day more seem to come until by the first of March there are millions, not figuratively, but literally MILLIONS of waterfowl feeding and resting in an area approximately 50 miles wide.

The Rainwater Basin covers parts of 17 counties in south-central NE involving 4200 square miles and approximately 400 wetlands ranging from an acre to over 1000 acres.  Over 250 species of birds have been observed in the area.  The wetlands are located in depressions layered with clay which trap run off water and form natural marshes.  About 10% of the original 4000 wetlands remain as a resource not just to the wildlife that inhabit the marshes but also to the people who live nearby, and whose spirits are buoyed by the sights and sounds emanating from these areas.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service manage 42 of these marshes for waterfowl staging during spring migration, for waterfowl production, and for habitat for upland and non-game species.  Additionally, these wetlands contribute to the area through their value in flood control, groundwater recharge, and recycling of nutrients.

FACTS:
90% of mid-continent white-fronted geese population pass through the Rainwater Basin
50% of mid-continent mallard population pass through the Rainwater Basin
30% of mid-continent pintail population pass through the Rainwater Basin
257 species of birds have been observed including 5 threatened or endangered species
7-9 million ducks stop in the Rainwater Basin including 20 different species
2-3 million geese stop in the Rainwater Basin

Beginning in January the sound of the goose can be heard overhead as flocks begin their northward trek.  Daily more arrive.  Early in the morning they leave the marshes and fly to the surrounding fields.  It's a sight to behold.  Birds as far as you can see, stretching from one end of the horizon to the other, birds covering acres and acres of cropland, feasting on the corn that lays on the ground.  Literally millions of geese will stop and spend time replenishing body fat and preparing for the long flight to their nesting grounds thousands of miles north.  However, it is not only geese that you will see during this spectacular migration.  As many as 1000 eagles may winter in Nebraska and where the geese and ducks are, you will also find eagles.  In the Rainwater Basin, eagles spend most of the day perched in tall trees along the wetlands where waterfowl congregate.  Occasionally you may see an eagle chasing a large flock of ducks or geese out of the water.  This allows them to pick out crippled or unhealthy birds.  These sick and injured waterfowl are an important food source for the eagles.  Mid-December through mid-March offer the best eagle viewing opportunities.

Each year, millions of geese and ducks migrate through Nebraska on there way to the Canadian breeding grounds.  See this magnificent migration for yourself at the SpringWingDing celebration.

As the great spectacle of millions of migrating geese winds down you begin to see increasing numbers and species of ducks.  In addition to the pintails and mallards that arrived at about the same time as the white fronts and snow geese there will now be green winged and blue winged teal, wigeons, canvasbacks, goldeneyes, buffleheads, redheads, gadwalls, shovelers, ringnecks, lesser scaup, ruddy ducks and the occasional cinnamon teal and wood duck.  Coots and pied-billed grebes are sure to be present as well.  Looking closely you may see the common merganser, hooded merganser, eared grebe, and horned grebe.  There will also be as many as several hundred thousand shorebirds representing approximately 30 species with the number and variety varying annually depending on water conditions and vegetation.  Killdeer, avocets, and greater and lesser yellowlegs are only a few that inhabit these marshes.  While viewing the shorebirds don't be surprised to see a merlin or other raptor that may be present to prey on the shorebirds.  Typically early May offers the best shorebird viewing.

You're not likely to be disappointed when you visit the Basin.  The migration is somewhat like a rainbow, each band of color representing a different species, with the colors advancing as one wave moves on while yet another filters in, each offering a brilliant and inspiring view.