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Platte River Status: An abundant migrant and common nesting species. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 18 April to 31 August. Tout (1947) found upland sandpiper in Lincoln County during 9 April to 30 August. Rosche (1979) recorded upland sandpiper in the lower North Platte River Valley during 6 May to 9 August. Brooking (1942) mentioned that in the early 1900's, upland sandpiper was a very common nesting species in south-central Nebraska, but by 1942, the only recent breeding record was from near Fort Kearny where the species nested in 1941.

Breeding Range: A common nesting species in the Sandhills, and locally in the Platte River Valley. Fairly common locally on the Dissected Plain and Western Plain. Uncommon and highly local on the Eastern Plain.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 59,000 breeding pairs. Upland sandpiper ranked 21st in total abundance among all breeding bird species in the study area.

Habitat: We found the highest mean breeding density in wet prairie (9.1 pairs/km²), followed by domestic hayland (5.7 pairs/km²), upland prairie (2.0 pairs/km²), wheat (0.5 pairs/km²), alfalfa (0.5 pairs/km²), and prairie wetland (0.2 pairs/km²). Kantrud and Kologiski (1982) recorded highest breeding densities of upland sandpiper in the northern Great Plains on moderately grazed native grasslands occurring on high-moisture soils. Dominant grasses associated with this species included western wheatgrass and Kentucky bluegrass; white sage was the predominant forb. Unlike many grassland breeding bird species, upland sandpiper does not appear to be adversely affected by livestock grazing. Kantrud (1981) found no great differences in nesting density on North Dakota grasslands subjected to various grazing intensities. Research in the Nebraska Sandhills revealed that grazing or mowing of grasslands benefited this species (Cole and Sharpe 1976). Population density data from across Illinois suggests that pasture land is becoming less important while mixed hayfields and alfalfa are taking on more importance across Illinois.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: De-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent encroachment of wooded vegetation, especially in wet prairie habitats, has produced a negative impact on this species. Conversion of extensive areas of upland prairie to cropland has also produced a negative impact.

Nesting Data: We have located 43 active nests at the Mormon Island. Mean clutch size among 25 of the nests was 3.8 eggs. Egg dates range from 10 May to 27 June, with the peak of hatching 12-20 June. Two nests have been located that were parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds; both were abandoned.