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encroachment on the sandbar decreased the suitability of the site, and the birds <br />eventually moved to nearby sandpits to nest. Although observations for the long <br />term study ended in 1959, nesting was observed again in this locality ten years <br />later.26 <br />It is evident, therefore, that least terns and piping plovers existed and nested <br />historically on the Platte River. Changes to the hydrology of the river and other <br />factors have significantly reduced natural sandbar habitat on the North Platte, South <br />Platte, and central Platte Rivers desired by least terns and piping plovers for nesting. <br />The current habitat situation is a limiting factor on these rivers for the recovery of <br />least tern and piping plover populations. <br />A.4. Population Status and Trends on the Platte River <br />Table 1 shows 1987 -1998 long -term averages of individual adult least terns and <br />piping plovers. The vast majority of terns and plovers occur along the Platte River <br />proper (including adjacent sand pits). The majority of birds on the North Platte <br />River occur along the shoreline of Lake McConaughy. Very few birds occur along <br />the South Platte River in Nebraska. Based on the survey data in Table 1, there is a <br />long -term average of 166 piping plovers and 549 least terns on the Platte River <br />(upper, central, and lower Platte River). It is recommended that, for the purpose of <br />this report, the central Platte River for least terns and piping plovers be defined as <br />from Lexington to Columbus, Nebraska. Columbus is where major tributaries <br />(principally, the Loup River) enter the Platte River and where the character of the <br />river changes significantly. <br />Table 1. Current Status of Piping Plovers and Least Terns <br />1987 -1998 Long -Term Averages <br />South Platte <br />North Platte (L. McConaughy) <br />(1990 -1998) <br />Upper Platte <br />Central Platte <br />Lower Platte <br />Platte System <br />Piping Plover (individuals) Least Tern (individuals) <br />2 2 <br />70.6 <br />11.5 <br />8.6 <br />27.2 <br />58.1 <br />147 <br />100 <br />375 <br />239.3 562.7 <br />Source: Eileen Kirsch's working database based on Nebraska Game & Parks data. <br />Least terns and piping plovers declined on the central and lower Platte Rivers <br />26 Wycoff, R S. 1969. Cornell nest record card. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. <br />Ithaca, New York. <br />0 <br />