It's the peak of the sandhill crane migration in Nebraska.

Visitor's Bureau staff say they expect 10,000 to 12,000 people to flock to the tri-cities for the annual event, down from 15,000 in previous years.

Many visitors to the Wings Over the Platte Center aren't traveling too far to get there.

Officials blame the economy.

"A lot of the families that we've been seeing are, especially within a days drive, Omaha, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota," said Renee Seifert, executive director of the Grand Island and Hall County Visitors and Convention Bureau.

However, some of those long-distance bird watchers are still making the trip.

"The prices, the air fares were down a little bit which actually helped us make a decision to come out," said Gregg Anson of Maine.

"So far it's been pretty cool," said Melissa Anson, also of Maine. "I've never seen that many birds in the same place at the same time."

"Your people that really want to experience the spring migration season, they will make an effort to get here at this time because it just doesn't happen any place else," said Seifert.

No matter how many visitors migrate to see these birds, officials say it's an attraction worth keeping; not only for the conservation of the sandhill cranes, but also for the economic well-being of Nebraska.

"With the number of people that we do have coming in and these are tough economic times, so every new tourist dollar that we can manage to bring in to not only our area but the state benefits as well, the better for our state," said Seifert.

As long as the sandhill cranes keep migrating through Nebraska, visitors bureau officials say they'll try to keep tourists following.

Area hotels say they're seeing about the same number of visitors for this time of year, but visitors bureau staff admit they're a bit overwhelmed running the former Crane Meadows Center.

They're still asking for volunteers. For more information click on the link below.