Status, Distribution, and Production of the Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover Along the Mainstem Missouri River in South Dakota, 1986.
Schwalbach M, Vandel G, Higgins K. 1986. Status, Distribution, and Production of the Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover Along the Mainstem Missouri River in South Dakota, 1986.. 86-10. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Park
Surveys of interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus) populations were conducted in South Dakota in 1986. Least terns are listed as endangered and piping plovers as threatened by both South Dakota and Federal law. Objectives were to determine population status, nesting habitat characteristics, and factors limiting productivity. Overall, 372 adult least terns and 226 adult piping plovers were censused. Forty-one nesting areas were located, all of which were sparsely vegetated sandbars, beaches, or parking lots. Due to record high water levels on the mainstem Missouri River throughout the May to August nesting period, production was very low for both species. A nesting population of least terns along a natural portion of the Cheyenne River did however show dramatically higher production. Specific recommendations for species protection and continued study are provided, but in general a "natural river" scenario would be most beneficial during the May-July nesting period. Management suggestions for terns and plovers appear to be complementary with fisheries resource goals especially below Gavins Point Dam where 69% of the tern and 89% of the plover nesting populations were observed.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Schwalbach, Monica; Vandel, George; Higgins, Ken
- Date of Issue
- 1986-10-01
- Publisher
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Park
- Units
- MNRR
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Aves (Birds), Ecology, Inventory and Monitoring (I&M)