Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Platte River Status: An uncommon migrant and summer resident. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 8 May to 15 June. Tout ((147) recorded black tern in Lincoln County during 10 May to 10 September. Tout stated that this species "undoubtedly" nests in Lincoln County although he never found a nest there. Rosche (1979) found black tern in the lower North Platte River Valley during 6 May to 10 September.
Breeding Range: Our records suggest that black tern occurs primarily in the Platte River Valley and in the Rainwater Basin area of the Eastern Plain. Although we did not record it there, black tern also occurs in the Sandhills.
Breeding Population: We failed to record this species on our random sample plots in 1979-1980.
Habitat: Black tern is especially characteristic of large, semipermanent and seasonal wetlands in the Sandhills and Rainwater Basin areas.
Effect of Habitat Alteration: Black tern has been negatively impacted by wetland drainage in the Rainwater Basin area. Wooded vegetation encroachment within the channel of the Platte River has reduced the quality of much streamside vegetation formerly occupied by this species.
Nesting Data: We have no confirmed records of nests or young from the study area. Rising (1974) speculated that most black tern eggs were laid in western Kansas during May. Stewart (1975) reported egg dates from North Dakota between 28 May and 24 July.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/platte/species/chlinige.htm
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