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Platte River Status: A fairly common migrant and uncommon summer resident across the study area. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 17 May to 14 September. Tout (1947) stated that willow flycather was a common summer resident along the Platte River in Lincoln County, but recorded this species only during 7 May to 23 June, and 6 August to 18 September. Rosche (1979) recorded willow flycatcher in the lower North Platte River Valley on only two separate dates in June 1978.

Breeding Range: An uncommon, although widely distributed nesting species within the Platte River Valley physiographic region. Uncommon to rare and local on the Eastern Plain and Dissected Plain; casual elsewhere.

Breeding Population: An estimated 940 breeding pairs nested on the study area in 1979-1980. Willow flycatcher made up <0.1% of the total breeding bird numbers those years.

Habitat: We found the highest mean nesting densities in river channel island (8.9 pairs/km²), followed by lowland forest (2.7 pairs/km²) and wet prairie (0.2 pairs/km²). Faanes (1982) found willow flycather nesting almost exclusively in shrub thickets on a central North Dakota study area. Stewart (1975) reported that willow flycatcher was largely restricted to thickets or open groves of small trees and tall shrubs across North Dakota.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: De-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent establishment of wooded vegetation within the river channel, especially growths of coyote willow, have benefited this species. We believe that the westward movement of this species across the study area has largely been facilitated by the increased presence of coyote willow in the river channel.

Nesting Data: We have no confirmed records of nests or eggs from the study area. Egg dates in Kansas extend from 21 May to 10 July (Johnsgard 1979). The nesting season in North Dakota extends from mid June to early August (Stewart 1975).