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Platte River Status: A rare migrant and local nesting species west through Lincoln County. Tout (1947) considered wood thrush a regular summer resident in Lincoln County, where it was found yearly in the "big woods" along the Platte River east of North Platte. Occurrence dates in Lincoln County are 2 May to 30 October. Tout (1935) chronicled the increasing frequency of wood thrush occurence in Lincoln County in the early twentieth century.

Breeding Range: Apparently restricted almost exclusively to the Platte River Valley physiographic region where its distribution is highly localized. Short (1961) observed wood thrush along the Platte River system west to Sutherland, Lincoln County, where several were on territory.

Breeding Population: Because of the small number of wood thrush in the Platte River Valley, coupled with the species localized distribution, we failed to record any on our random sample plots in 1979-1980. Our best estimate, based on distribution data, is that no more than 50 pairs occupy the study area during any particular nesting season.

Habitat: Most observation of wood thrush on the study area are of birds occupying mature lowland forest supporting dense understory vegetation.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Establishment of wooded vegetation throughout the Platte River Valley has produced a positive benefit for this species. We believe that wooded vegetation encroachment is the only reason wood thrush is found here, although the number of birds occupying study area habitats is insignificant when compared to the total population of all nesting species present.

Nesting Data: We have three confirmed nest records from the study area including Tout's (1947) report of an undated nest in North Platte, Lincoln County, in 1918. Jones (1934) found a partially constructed wood thrush nest in Hastings, Adams County, on 29 May 1934. Johnsgard (1979) reported that egg dates in Kansas range from 11 May to 10 August.