A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

Past Records. Least terns nest in riparian and wetland areas with large patches of bare soil or
sparse vegetation. Nesting colonies are found along the Kansas River in northeastern Kansas
(Busby et al. 1997) and along the Platte River in Nebraska (Sidle and Harrison 1990). Least
terns nested historically on sandbars along the Missouri River, but most of this habitat has been
compromised due to alteration of the river’s hydrology. The species was observed on FLMR in
the late 1980s when low water in the Missouri River exposed many sandbars (J. Schukman
personal comm.), but there are no known nesting records.
Available Habitat and Surveys. The Missouri River provided ideal nesting habitat prior to
hydrological modifications. Construction of large reservoirs upstream and channelization of
most of the river reduced breeding habitat for least tern. Among the changes was a reduction in
the extent of sandbars and open, sparsely vegetated sites frequented by this and other species for
nesting (Haig et al. 1988). Good nesting sites currently do not exist on FLMR, and no breeding
colonies are present on or near the installation. No systematic surveys were conducted during
this study, and no least terns were seen during other field work on FLMR.
Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Least terns wander widely during the spring and late
summer, and probably migrate along the river near FLMR. Nesting along the Missouri River on
or near FLMR is unlikely given current river management.
Recommendations. The absence of suitable habitat is due largely to hydrological changes in the
Missouri River. Restoration of habitat will require modifications in the way the river is managed
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If future management changes result in the production of
large sandbars in the river, these should be monitored during June and July for least terns.
Piping plover: Charadrius melodus Ord
Past Records. This small shorebird breeds in the central and northern Great Plains; it is a rare
spring and fall migrant in Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989). Piping plovers routinely nest along
the Platte River and upper Missouri River (Haig et al. 1994). Small numbers of individuals also
nest along the upper Kansas River (Busby et al. 1997).
Available Habitat and Surveys. Similar to the least tern, piping plovers breed on sparsely
vegetated sandbars along rivers, along sandy shores of marshes and lakes, and on open flats
(Collins et al. 1995). Formerly, the Missouri River provided suitable nesting habitat. However,
channelization and reservoir construction has altered the river’s hydrology, resulting in fewer
sandbars and open, sparsely vegetated sites that might be used by nesting individuals (Haig et al.
1988). No nesting habitat currently exists on FLMR, and no breeding colonies are present on or
near FLMR. Systematic surveys were not conducted during this study, and no piping plovers
were seen during other field work on the installation.
Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Migrating birds may fly over the area and occasionally may
stop to forage along the Missouri River.
NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 54