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Platte River Status: A fairly common migrant and summer resident in the eastern half of the study area. Occurrence dates from the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 10 April to 25 August. Tout (1947) reported tree swallow only as a fairly common spring migrant in Lincoln County, present 19 April to 30 May. Rosche (1979) found tree swallow in the lower North Platte River Valley during 29 March to 7 May and 18 July to 19 August. Short (1961) found tree swallows in mid and late June near Hastings, Adams County, and near Grand Island.

Breeding Range: An uncommon and local summer resident, occurring primarily in the Platte River Valley and Eastern Plain. Birds occurring in the latter area are associated almost exclusively with wetlands in the Rainwater Basin region.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 3,655 nesting pairs. Tree swallows made up about 0.1 % of the total bird numbers on the study area those years.

Habitat: We found the highest mean nesting densities in lowland forest (8.5 pairs/km²), followed by shelterbelts (3.0 pairs/km²), river channel island (2.5 pairs/km²), wet prairie (0.2 pairs/km²), and upland prairie (0.2 pairs/km²). Stewart (1975) reported that nesting tree swallow in North Dakota were usually found associated with tree groves near water. Nests are typically placed in natural cavities or in abandoned woodpecker nest holes in dead trees.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Tree swallow has benefited positively from de-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent encroachment of wooded vegetation within the river channel. The principal benefit has been the presence of large trees with natural cavities suitable for nest placement.

Nesting Data: We have no confirmed records of nests or eggs from the study area. Egg dates in Kansas extend from 21 May to 20 June, with a peak in late May (Johnsgard 1979).