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Platte River Status: An uncommon migrant and rare summer resident in the east; fairly common in the west. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 28 April to 10 September. Tout (1947) reported American avocet in Lincoln County regularly during 21 April to 25 September. Rosche (1979) found American avocet only as a migrant in the lower North Platte River Valley, present 12 April to 14 May, and 3 August to 14 October.

Breeding Range: Restricted largely to the Sandhills during the nesting season; occasional in the Rainwater Basin area of the Eastern Plain.

Breeding Population: We failed to record American avocet on our random census plots in 1979-1980. Based on our distribution data, we believe that no more than 75 pairs nest annually in the study area.

Habitat: Most American avocets in our area nest in loose colonies near shallow permanent wetlands supporting little or no herbaceous cover. Saline wetlands are used extensively in North Dakota (Stewart 1975).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Wetland loss has been detrimental to this species throughout most of its range. Increasing expansion of center pivot irrigation systems in the Sandhills region threatens water levels in many wetlands there.

Nesting Data: The only evidence of confirmed nesting we have from the study area is Rapp's (1954) statement that in 1954, American avocet was a common nesting species at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Garden County (T. 20 N. - R. 44 W.).