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among wintering areas, movements among habitats, time- activity budgets, the use of pre-migration staging areas, etc., may provide important information on habitat quality. The goal of these studies should be identification of habitat features that affect winter survival of interior least terns, assure adequate pre-breeding condition, and favor mixing among individuals from local breeding populations. 232. Ouantifv and evaluate winter habitat. After baseline information on habitat characteristics and quality is available, the amount and distribution of winter habitat should be determined. Additionally, the quality of existing habitat should be rated and deficiencies identified. This effort may involve development of remote sensing techniques t9 identify and monitor winter habitat. Based on data generated under steps 231 and 232 the likelihood of winter habitat quantity limiting the growth of the interior least tern population should be evaluated. If winter habitat is found to be limited, further recommendations should be developedpn the need for habitat protection or management of specific sites. 233. Eliminate current or Dotential threats to winter habitat. As winter habitat is identified, current and potential threats to each site should be determined. Priority should be given to sites currently used by interior least terns. It is important to not only identify threats that could destroy winter habitats, but also those that could result in lowering the quality of remaining sites. Habitat ownership will have to be taken into consideration when assessing threats to the species. 3. Protect. enhance. and increase interior least tern DODulations. Legal protection is often not enough to ensure perpetuation of breeding populations. Active management actions, including predator management, restricted access, and water level management are critical components of a comprehensive protection plan. 31. Protect. enhance. and increase DODulations during the breedinE season. To date, breeding activity of interior least terns has been more thoroughly investigated than activities at other times of the year. Current surveys have now identified most of the nesting areas in the U. S. Extensive survey work and research investigations of several major breeding areas have helped delineate many factors contributing to the species' current status, thus enabling the development of specific recommendations that may enhance the spe~ies' survival during the reproductive season. 311. Increase reDroduction and survival at occuDied breedinE sites. Activities that reduce interior least tern reproductive success and survival on its breeding grounds are probably among the principal factors responsible for the species' current status. Actions directed at eliminating or 38