Large winter aggregations form while on lakes, coastal waters, and mudflats. When females pick a nesting site, they look for a place that has good visibility but is still isolated so they have a warning of danger and protection if danger approaches. The area also must have open water with low banks so they can have access to aquatic plants. Places such as swamps marshes, meadows, lakes, and other such places are among some of the favorite nesting areas. Canadian and Alaskan shorelines have tundra that provides an adequate nesting site.
Nests are very simple and are made quickly.
Materials that are used are weeds, twigs, grass, moss, needles, and other such materials. After some collection and building, she rounds out a curve or depression with her body. She drops the materials around her and moves the items to get the best fit. From time to time she rounds out the center with her chest or feet. If there are no items of vegetation the nest may only be a depression in the ground shaped by her chest and feet.