Sidle, J. G., Carlson, D. E., Kirsch, E. M., and Dinan, J. J., 1992, Flooding mortality
and habitat renewal for least terns and piping plovers: Colonial Waterbirds, v. 15, no.
1, p. 132-136.

Abstract

We observed extensive mortality (eggs and chicks) of the endangered interior
population of the Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and threatened Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus) caused by natural flooding during the 1990 breeding season
along the Platte River, Nebraska USA. Aerial videography of the Platte River before
and after the flood revealed a 78% reduction of perennial vegetation on sandbars. The
flood scoured vegetation from sandbars and greatly increased the amount of barren
sandbar  habitat that nesting Least Terns and Piping Plovers use. A review of river
gauging station data indicated that flooding of the 1990 magnitude or greater can be
expected to occur about once every nine years. We recommend a review of the annual
operating plans of managed rivers to account for the effects of dam discharges on Least
Terns and Piping Plovers.

Keywords

Sterna-Antillarum Charadrius-Melodus Egg Chick Breeding Season Vegetation
Reduction Habitat Destruction River Management Dam Discharge Nebraska Usa