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Platte River Status: A fairly common migrant and nesting species in the western half of the study area. Tout (1947) recorded long-billed curlew in Lincoln County during 1 April to 22 July. Tout stated that the headwaters of Whitehorse Creek in the Sandhills, and the meadows along Fremont Creek in the South Platte River Valley were especially attractive to this species. Rosche (1979) found long-billed curlew in the lower North Platte River Valley during 28 March to 3 August.

Breeding Range: A fairly common nesting species in the Sandhills region; uncommon and local on the Western Plain. Rare and local in the western reaches of the Platte River Valley where wet meadow vegetation supplies suitable habitat.

Breeding Population: The population was estimated at 5,145 breeding pairs in 1979-1980.

Habitat: We found the highest mean breeding density in wet prairie (1.0 pairs/km²), followed by upland prairie (0.2 pairs/km²). Kantrud and Kologiski (1982) found highest nesting densities of long-billed curlew in the northern Great Plains on lightly grazed native grasslands on arid soils. Pampush (1980) observed that both adults and broods apparently prefer habitats with low vertical profile and density; highest nest densities occurred on grazed areas dominated by downy brome, Kentucky bluegrass and plains pricklypear.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The loss of native grasslands to intensified agricultural production, and the encroachment of wooded vegetation in wet meadows, have produced a profound negative impact on this species.

Nesting Data: Tout (1942) reported a nest with four eggs in a meadow near Jackson's Lake, Lincoln County, on 23 May 1936. Mohler (1946) found a nest near Whitetail Creek, Keith County on 6 May 1942. Faanes observed an adult with young on native grassland in T. 14 N.-R. 31 W., Lincoln County, on 2 June 1979, and 3 young were observed in Garden County on 23 June 1980. Johnsgard (1979) reported egg dates from Kansas during May and June.