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Platte River Status: A rare migrant and nesting species. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 20 April to 15 August. Tout (1947) found piping plover in Lincoln County during 7 April to 16 September. Rosche (1979) reported piping plover from the lower North Platte River Valley during 15 April to 19 August. Rosche (1979) described a nest found at Arthur Bay, Lake McConaughy on 12 June 1979.

Breeding Range: Restricted almost exclusively to the Platte River Valley physiographic region; locally rare in the breeding season on wetlands in the Rainwater Basin area of the Eastern Plain.

Breeding Population: The population was estimated at 119 pairs in 1979-1980; the bulk of the breeding population is located in the Big Bend reach of the Platte River.

Habitat: We found a mean density of 1.2 pairs per km² on river channel islands. Nests are typically located on barren or lightly vegetated riverine islands. If riverine sites are unavailable, piping plover will nest on the sandy beach zone of sandpits adjacent to the river channel; nesting is also known from the beach of Lake McConaughy. Among 28 nests located along the Platte River in 1979, bare ground made up nearly 75% of the area within 1 square meter of the nest site (Faanes 1983b). Ducey (1981) reported that 5-10% of the area of sandbars used by nesting piping plovers on the lower Platte River had been invaded by cottonwood saplings.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: De-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent encroachment of wooded vegetation within the river channel has produced a significant negative impact on this species. Reduced flow levels have encouraged the sprouting and growth of cottonwood and willow saplings on river channel islands that previously were totally barren of vegetation. The absence of the scouring action of river ice coupled with reduced periods of channel island inundation during the growing season have confounded the problem of reduced habitat availability and suitability for piping plover in the study area.

Nesting Data: During 1978-1984, we located 65 piping plover nests in the study area; most were within the Big Bend reach of the river. Extreme egg dates extend from 15 May to 24 July. Peak hatching occurs in mid June. Piping plover is normally single brooded, but may renest if their first nest is destroyed early in the nesting season (Wilcox 1959). This species nests singularly or in loose colonies associated with least terns (Faanes 1983b). We found piping plover nests on sandpits adjacent to the river in 1984. No riverine nests were located in 1980 or 1983 because of unusually high water levels in the river. Success at sandpit sites is much reduced when compared to traditional riverine sites because of high predation rates and increased frequency and duration of human disturbance.