Program Information
Topics covered on this page:
Background
Management Activities
Research
Education and Outreach
Background
Least Terns and PIping Plovers are among the first birds to be described in Nebraska by western explorers. Of course they were always well known by Native Americans well before that. In Nebraska, terns and plovers flourished along the Missouri River and its tributaries, the Platte, Loup, and Elkhorn rivers nesting on mid-stream sandbars.
Least Terns and Piping Plovers have been protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1985. Although legally protected, the birds were being disturbed and many violations of the ESA were occurring, often unbeknownst to the offenders. One such violation in 1990, at a sand and gravel mine, prompted a cooperative project between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the sand and gravel operators along the lower Platte and Loup rivers in Nebraska. (Lackey 1994)
to eliminate these violations.
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Jeanine Lackey places a "Do Not Enter" sign at a sand and gravel mine, 1992. Jeanine is currently the Outdoor Education Specialist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. |
As part of this effort, in 1991 and 1992, Jeanine Lackey's research for her thesis "Planning Strategies and Recommendations for the Protection of Least Terns and Piping Plovers at Sand and Gravel Mines Along the Lower Platte and Loup Rivers, Nebraska" was conducted. In her study, Lackey worked closely with the sand and gravel mine operators to educate them about terns and plovers, help them to identify situations that may interfere with nesting birds, and work together not only to protect the birds, but do it in a way that would cause minimal disruption to the mining process. Another part of her study was to determine if protecting the birds from predators by using individual exclosures around Piping Plover nests, and electric fences around entire colonies of terns and plovers would increase their reproductive success. Lackey found that protecting the birds using these management techniques did indeed increase the number of chicks produced at mine sites.
Between 1994 and 1998, monitoring Least Terns and Piping Plovers was sporatic because simply there were not enough personnel or funds to manage terns and plovers at sand and gravel mines effectively. So in 1998, John Dinan and Jeanine Lackey submitted proposals to both the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for help with funding of personnel and equipment. They felt that a special group of people was needed that could devote time specifically to sand and gravel mines given the potential impacts that humans could have on the birds' nest productivity. Those funds were awarded and the first order of business was to buy equipment, mostly to build fences and exclosures that protect the birds from predation.
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In addition to being one of the founders of the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership, John Dinan was a champion for all birds in Nebraska. Sadly, John passed away in August 2005 after battling leukemia. His legacy of bird conservation continues now, and will continue well into the future. |
In 1999, the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership was founded by Dinan from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Ron Johnson and Lackey from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A Program Coordinator was hired in 1999 to oversee the program and keep in close contact with all partners, and in 2002 an Outreach Coordinator was hired to help recruit volunteers and to educate the public.
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Ron Johnson is a talented songwriter and musician, and has produced the song "Sing Along Sandy Shores" about the plight of terns and plovers. Currently he is Professor of Wildlife-BioSustainability, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, South Carolina.
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The Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership works to increase reproductive success of state and federally endangered least terns and threatened piping plovers nesting at sand and gravel mines, while reducing conflicts between mining operations and nesting birds. The Partnership also works to understand the relationships between Platte river habitats and nesting and migrating birds, and educates and involves the public in all these efforts.
Mangement Activities
Monitoring Populations
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Jeff Marcus, Program Coordinator (1999-2001), monitoring tern and plover colony. |
Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership begins its monitoring efforts in early April each year. All sand and gravel mines, to which we have access, from Columbus to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, adjacent to the lower Platte, Loup, and Elkhorn rivers are visited. Many of these sand and gravel mines are members of the Partnership. Potential nesting sites are noted, and Partnership staff work with mine personnel to determine where they will be working during the nesting season.
Special permits are required for handling any nests, eggs, birds, or any part thereof, and the Partnership possesses the required permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Data collected at mine sites include (for both least terns and piping plovers): number of adults, number of nests, nest location (GPS), number of eggs, estimated hatch date (floating eggs), number of chicks, and number of fledglings. This data is collected twice a week at each sand and gravel mine. Additionally, twice during the nesting season Partnership staff participate in a statewide survey of all potential tern and plover nesting on sandbars in riverine habitats.
Colony Protection
Sand and gravel mines attract terns and plovers because of the open areas of sparsely vegetated sand. These sandy, beach-like areas are different from sandbars in that they are not surrounded by running water. The water acts as a protective moat around the sandbar. Tree or shrub covered areas are often adjacent to these "beaches", and are a great hiding place for predators. Consequently, Least Terns and Piping Plovers nesting at sand and gravel mines are more vulnerable to predation than those on river sandbars. To keep predators at bay, Partnership staff and volunteers erect flexible electric fences around nesting tern and plover colonies. These fences can reach up to 1200 feet long.
Individual Nest Protection
Piping Plover nests can be individually protected by exclosures and also protected by the electric fences if they are nesting within a Least Tern colony. These wire mesh exclosures offer protection from most predators while allowing easy access for adults coming and going from the nests.
Deterring Nesting
The Partnership works closely with sand and gravel mine personnel to help the mines continue normal daily operation while allowing terns and plovers to nest where they are out of harm's way. Mylar (the material shiny helium balloons are made of) is attached to the top of a fiberglass pole.
Before the birds arrive in April and May, Partnership staff meet with mine personnel to map out where mining operations will occur during the summer months. If those areas are potential tern and plover nesting areas (dry, sandy, and sparsely vegetated), the Partnership develops a plan to deter nesting. Part of the plan usually involves a grid of deterrent mylar flagging placed in that area.
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A grid of mylar flagging at a sand and gravel operation. |
Other methods used for deterring birds from nesting are planting grass over the area, covering the area with topsoil, or frequent raking of the area.
Attracting Nesting
Least Terns and Piping Plovers are attracted to areas of open sand, but also use areas where the sand has small pebbles mixed in with the sand. At some sand and gravel mines, the excess sand is very fine. To attract birds to these potential nesting areas, mine personnel assist the Partnership by using a front end loader to spread a thin layer of gravel over the fine sand. In spots where the gravel is too thick, staff and volunteers will make the layer thinner by using rakes spread the gravel. Additionally, small pieces of driftwood are scattered randomly throughout the area. This is used as an added attractant because terns and plovers often nest near debris on the sand.
Research
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A researcher holds a group of Piping Plover chicks in preparation for banding. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, NPRC Tern and Plover Project, Garrison Reach, Missouri River, ND. |
The Partnership has an active research program. We feel that a fuller understanding of the birds and their biology will lead to more effective conservation and management plans.
A study done in 2000 and 2001 using areas of mylar flagging as a deterrent, additional gravel as an attractant, and an area where no treatment used. The paper, "Direct Nest Site Selection of Least Terns and Piping Plovers" was published by Waterbirds. (68.4 KB pdf)
Partnership staff have a manuscript under review for publication by the Journal of Extension titled "Grassroots Conservation: Volunteers Contribute to Projects and Foster a Supportive Public". (52.8 KB pdf)
Another paper entitled "Endangered Species Responses to Natural Habitat Declines: Nebraska's Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos) and Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) Nesting in a Novel Habitat" is under review for publication by the Nebraska Bird Review. (130 KB pdf)
Education and Outreach
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A group of Girl Scouts get a rare opportunity to view a tern and plover colony up close on a sandbar in the Platte River. This was a specially arranged tour. Not all sandbars in rivers are public property; many are private. |
The Partnership works to increase public awareness and appreciation for the interior Least Tern, Piping Plover, the Platte, Loup, and Elkhorn river ecosystems, and the sand and gravel mining industry.
Staff are available to give educational programs to groups throughout the state. Contact Chris Thody to schedule a presentation or field trip for your group.
The Partnership encourages involvement in our program by mining personnel, construction and utility crews, community groups, school and scouting, and individuals through the Volunteer Program.
Many educational items are available on the Educational Materials page on this site.
Be a leader in your community by encouraging pet owners to keep pets on leashes, particularly in areas of known Least Tern and Piping Plover nesting. Roaming cats can be a particular danger to nesting birds, so it's best to keep Cats Indoors.
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