Hello all! We begin the 2015 Waunita Watchable Wildlife Program!

 

April 1, 2015

 

High Male Count: 22

High Female Count: 0

 

Male displays all across East Ridge.

Birds at North Meadow flushed after two vehicles drove by.

 

April 2, 2015

 

High Male Count: 7

High Female count: 0

 

Birds were in and out of brush cover on the North Meadow.

4 unknown birds flushed from North Meadow to far northeast ridge and disappeared in sagebrush, 6 birds still remained in north meadow.

East Ridge was quiet with two males to the north end of ridge, in and out of sagebrush

9 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 2
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 1

10 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:10
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 1
Majority of birds flushed ~15minutes before sunrise.

5 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 9
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:3

6 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 13
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 2
One copulation was witnessed today! Quite a few males were in the Nothern pasture this morning.

7 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 9
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
Booming highly audible this morning. Good visibility this morning despite clouds and early flush at 5:40am.

8 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 5
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
Despite the rain, five hard-core males were out there displaying this morning. Even with clouds  and rain visibility was great. Birds flushed around 5:43am.

The last day that a volunteer will be in the parking lot this season will be Friday, May 10.

30 April 2013
NO BIRDS ON LEK TODAY

1 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 7
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 0
Birds flushed at 5:46 am today  because of horses running around on lek.

2 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 5
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 0
Birds flushed at 5:34 am-no apparent cause.

3 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 9
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 0
Birds flushed at 5:40am-no apparent cause.

4 May 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 9
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 0
Birds flushed at 5:38am and 5:39am.

Lekking season is winding down here While the males are still vigorously displaying, no females have been present on the lek for the past week My guess is that most females are beginning to sit on their nests and prepare for the summer season of brood-rearing.
Happy Spring!

27 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 8
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
Another morning of early, active displays. Coyotes caused early flush at 5:39am.

28 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 6
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 0
Birds flushed early at 5:36 am likely because of white-tailed jackrabbits running around on lek. Observer then noticed two other birds far north of the lek, when they flushed at 6:07am 14 were counted, but no accurate sex counts could be made.

29 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:10
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
Grouse flushed at 5:40am when coyotes came onto lek.

The season is wrapping up. Volunteers will be present at the viewing lot until May 11. The site is open to public viewing until May 15.

24 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 10
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:4
Birds flushed around 5am, probably due to coyote presence on lek.

25 April 2013
NO BIRDS ON THE LEK TODAY.Inclement weather.

26 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT: 11
FEMALE HIGH COUNT: 1
Could see the grouse starting around 4:45 am due to full moon. Active display today, despite early flush at 5:44 am.

18 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:10
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:4
Coyotes flushed grouse off lek ~27minutes before sunrise.

19 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:9
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:5
Grouse flushed ~1minute before sunrise. 1 copulation!

20 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:8
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
The grouse flushed early today, although visibility was OK before flushed. Unknown what caused flush.

21 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:10
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:2
Majority of males were much further south of the H-brace than usual. Grouse flushed early again, possibly because of late arrival of parking lot visitor. Please remember to arrive at least 1 hour before sunrise if you are planning to view the grouse.

22 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:7
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:1
Grouse flushed at 5:56 am. 2 coyotes were seen moving on to the lek at time of flush.

23 April 2013
MALE HIGH COUNT:2
FEMALE HIGH COUNT:0
Light snow today. Visibility was OK though. Grouse flushed soon after volunteer saw them. "Bubbling" was audible.