This tour will begin at 6:00 a.m. with a trip to a Prairie Chicken Lek or "booming" grounds. Male prairie chickens arrive before dawn and quickly begin their unique courtship display, characterized by stomping feet, towering leaps and resonant booming calls created by inflated yellow-orange air sacs found along both sides of their neck. Fights often break out between males, feathers fly and battles can be fierce.
The next leg of this tour will take you to Rowe Sanctuary. This 1,250 acre wildlife sanctuary is operated by the National Audubon Society to provide habitat for Sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and other birds. It is staffed by naturalists, bird watchers and crane enthusiasts. You will have the opportunity to walk the nature trails, enjoy the education facility and shop at the gift shop which features crane and nature related items.
The tour will end with a trip to Rainwater Basin viewing areas. More then 10 million ducks, geese, and shorebirds visit the Rainwater Basin every spring. Some viewing is outside of the vehicles so dress for possible cold weather and bring your binoculars and a field guide. Breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of this field trip.
(Because weather is unpredictable, changes are very possible to this field trip.)
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