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Platte River Status: A rare and local migrant and nesting species. Status of this species during the remainder of the year is uncertain because of co-occurrence with the more abundant western meadowlark. Johnsgard (1980) reported that eastern meadowlark occurs along the Platte River system west to the Colorado border and that hybridization with western meadowlark is quite frequent. Rosche (1979) considered eastern meadowlark a summer resident in the lower North Platte River Valley, stating that the period of occupancy began about 28 March.

Breeding Range: Within our study area, eastern meadowlark is largely restricted to the Platte River Valley physiographic region. We found one pair in the Sandhills of Keith County. The Keith County pair was in an extensive wet meadow associated with a natural basin wetland. Eastern meadowlark is probably more widespread in the Sandhills in similar habitat.

Breeding Population: Our 1979-1980 population estimate was 60 breeding pairs. Because of the spotty distribution of this species in the study area, we believe this to be an accurate population estimate.

Habitat: The mean breeding density in wet prairie vegetation was 1.5 pairs/km². Characteristic eastern meadowlark habitat at the western limit of the species range appears to be exclusively wet meadow vegetation. The pair found in the Sandhills of Keith County occupied habitat with the same physical features as that found adjacent to the Platte River.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Eastern meadowlarks along the Platte River have been adversely affected by water withdrawal and the subsequent increase in the extent and distribution of wooded vegetation within the river channels. Currently this species is most readily found during the breeding season on the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, and in several reaches of the North Platte River, Lincoln County, where large areas of wet meadow vegetation have not been encroached upon by trees and shrubs.

Nesting Data: Territorial males have been found on the Mormon Island Crane Meadows from at least 5 April to the end of June. The nests located have not been distinguishable from the more abundant western meadowlark, but we expect the timing of nesting to be similar between species. Egg dates in Kansas range from 10 April to 20 July (Johnsgard 1980).