Call to reserve spot for sage grouse viewing field trip

Andrew McKean

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Call ahead to reserve a spot for April 9 sage grouse viewing opportunity Anyone interested in observing sage grouse as they perform their annual courtship ritual is encouraged to call Fish, Wildlife & Parks or the Bureau of Land Management to reserve a spot in a field trip scheduled for this weekend.



The wildlife viewing opportunity will be held early this Saturday morning, April 9. The field trip will leave FWP’s Glasgow office no later than 5:15 a.m. in order to see the birds just as the sun rises. Participants will be back in Glasgow before noon.



If the weather cooperates, participants will observe a lek, or sage grouse strutting area, in south Valley County that may feature several dozen males exhibiting their remarkable springtime mating dance. Male grouse display their tail feathers, scrape the ground with their wing tips and make animated turns around the dancing grounds, meanwhile making percussive “drumming” sounds by inflating air sacs located near their throats. The early morning dance is designed to appeal to female grouse, which gather on the leks to select their breeding partners.



Pat Gunderson, FWP wildlife biologist in Glasgow, says Saturday’s field trip is an opportunity for the public to witness one of the region’s most charismatic and overlooked species.



“With the increased public interest in sage grouse and sage grouse habitat across the western U.S., we feel this is a good opportunity to showcase some of our local birds,” says Gunderson.



Depending on the number of participants, transportation will be provided by Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Bureau of Land Management. Participants should call either FWP at 228-3700 or the BLM at 228-3750 to reserve a spot and allow organizers to arrange vehicles. Although some spotting scopes will be available, participants should plan to bring binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras with telephoto lenses. The lek will be fully visible, but observers will remain some distance away so they don’t disturb the courtship ritual.



“If you haven’t watched these birds strutting their stuff, don’t miss this opportunity,” says BLM wildlife biologist John Carlson. “You’ll be watching the display with professionals who work on these birds and have the opportunity to learn more about sage grouse in general.”