Landscape and habitat variables affecting Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis distribution during migratory stopover in the Rainwater Basin, Nebraska, USA

The Rainwater Basin, Nebraska, appears to be an important stopover site for Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngites subruficollis during their northward spring migration. Buff-breasted Sandpipers have been observed using agricultural field and wetland habitats within the Rainwater Basin. This study is the first to examine specific habitat use during spring migration in the Rainwater Basin. Our results show that Buff-breasted Sandpipers were five times more likely to occur in fields that were planted to soybeans the previous growing season than in those planted previously to corn. In addition, birds were more likely to occur in fields in open areas free from human obstructions and in areas with higher densities of historic wetlands. These results indicate that shorebird conservation should include terrestrial habitats when developing conservation plans for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper and other similar shorebird species.