CPW Least Tern Shapefile Download

Updated December, 2025 FORAGING AREA: An area which generally is associated with a nesting area and which provides a source of food for Least Terns. Appropriate habitat includes shallow water areas in lakes, ponds, and river backwater areas with abundant small fish populations. These areas generally are within one-half mile of the nesting area. On large irrigation reservoirs, these areas fluctuate with changing water levels. PRODUCTION AREA: An area that includes nesting habitat and contains one or more active or previously active and aggressively defended territories. BREEDING RANGE: The area which encompasses the geographic area in which a population of birds can typically be found breeding (the period of time during each year when a species reproduces - mates and has young) in Colorado. This information was derived from Colorado Parks and Wildlife field personnel. Data was captured by digitizing through a SmartBoard Interactive Whiteboard using topographic maps and NAIP imagery at various scales (Cowardin, M., M. Flenner. March 2003. Maximizing Mapping Resources. GeoWorld 16(3):32-35). These data are updated on a four year rotation with one of the four Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regions updated each year. These data are not updated on a statewide level annually.