The morning today was about 26 degrees F, with 100% cloud cover. It began snowing in the mountains to the south of the site beginning shortly after sunrise, and by 7:45 began snowing lightly at the site. A high count of 9 males was observed today, with no females seen.  They stayed in the North Meadow for only 15 minutes after sunrise before flushing to the East Ridge and across the road. Throughout the remainder of the morning, up to 8 grouse were seen on the ridge until about 8:03. The last few males continued displaying in the snow, until they dropped behind the ridge and were no longer visible. A coyote was observed to the south of the Main lek around 6:45, but did not come near the grouse today. Other wildlife observed today was Elk, Black-billed Magpie, Red-winged Blackbird, and Vesper Sparrow. 

Today the morning was about 27 degrees F, with about 10% cloud cover.  Wind speeds were calm and there was no precipitation.  The high male count was 5 with a high female count of 3. In addition, 12 unknown grouse were seen, combining to a total of 20 observed this morning. 

The site re-opened for viewing yesterday, April 18th and will remain open until the end of the season, April 30th.

Saturday morning, April 17^th, was about 28 degrees F with 100% cloud cover and wind speeds of about 5 mph. It snowed about an inch. No birds were seen today, potentially due to the presence of snow, but there was also very low visibility caused by the snow.

Sunday morning, April 18^th, was about 20 degrees F with 97%  cloud cover with wind speeds at about 2-4 mph. The high male count was 24 and the high female count was 1, with an additional 3 unknown birds seen, adding to a total of 28 birds observed.

 

This morning was about 26 degrees F with less than 10% cloud cover and wind speeds of about 0 mph. The high male count was 14 with a high female count of 2, with and additional 40 unknown birds seen, adding to a total of 56 observed today. The 40 unknown birds were observed flushing from the North Meadow to the left of the road before they were seen on the ground, likely because they were hidden behind the willows.

Wednesday morning, April 14th, was about 39 degrees with 30% could cover. No birds were seen at the site today. There was quite a bit of coyote activity, with one heading North around 6:20, a pair near the North lek at 6:40, and another seen at the North Meadow at 7:33.

Thursday morning, April 15th, was about 39 degrees F with 80% cloud cover. The high male count was 18 with no females seen. All birds were see at the East Ridge with none at the North Meadow. Three coyotes were seen near the main lek at 6:20.

Today was about 29 degrees F, with 90% cloud cover. It snowed lightly over the evening, stopping at by about sunrise. The ridge appeared to have more snow. No birds were seen today.

 Sunday was the first day of the viewing closure period, which will extend until April 17^th. Thank you everyone for your understanding and cooperation in reducing disturbance to the Gunnison Sage-grouse of Waunita.

Sunday, April 11^th: The temperature at the start of the morning was of about 25 degrees F.  Skies were clear and with a wind speed of about 0 mph. Our high count was 34, and our high female count was 2, with a total of 36.  The majority of the birds were in the North Meadow, with 11 on the East Ridge beginning around 6:47. Birds were observed in the North Meadow until 7:40 and on the ridge until about 7:48. Coyotes were heard calling at 5:30 and there was a coyote in the North Meadow for about half an hour beginning at 6:15, at one point moving as close as 50 meters or so to the birds. No response from the birds was observed. Other wildlife present included Western meadowlark, Mallards, Red-winged Blackbird, and a Vesper sparrow song.

 

Monday, April 12^th: The morning had a temperature of 21 degrees F with about 25% cloud cover. Wind speed was about 0 mph. The high male count was 30, the high female count was 2, and 12 unknown, with a total of 44 birds seen. Most were observed in the North Meadow, with 13 on the East ridge. Birds were observed at the North Meadow until about 7:52 and on the East Ridge until 7:45. A coyote passed near the North Meadow around 6:55, but no response from the birds was observed.

 

Today, April 13^th: The morning was about 36 degrees F with a cloud cover of 98%. Wind speed was about 15-20 mph. Less birds were observed today, with a high male count of 6, no females, and 2 unknown, with a total of 6. Three of the males were observed in the North Meadow from 6:18 until 6:42 and 3 on the East Ridge from 6:35 to 7:36.  A coyote was observed in the North meadow at 7:08, but no grouse were present or visible at that time.

The morning was clear today with temperatures about 16 degrees F.  The high male count was 38 and the high female count was 7, with a total of 45. Two coyotes passed near the North Meadow lek, although no disturbance was observed. Other wildlife present included elk, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark and Western Meadowlark. 

 Hello Everyone!

We are currently 9 days into the viewing season and so far we have had some incredible days viewing the courtship of the magnificent and beautiful, Gunnison Sage–grouse.  Throughout the last week or so, morning temperatures have ranged from 19 to 32 degrees. It warmed up a bit from the 4^th to the 7^th, but temperatures dropped back to about 19 to 20 degrees yesterday and today.  There has been no precipitation. On average, we have counted 31 birds total per day with a high of 46 yesterday. Below are the counts from each day:

 

April 1^st: Males-23 Females-4 

April 2^nd: Males-20 Females-4 Unknown-1

April 3^rd: Males-17 Females-5

April 4^th: Males-15 Females-1 Unknown-11

April 5^th: Males-30 Females-4 Unknown-5

April 6^th: Males-28 Females-4 Unknown-2

April 7^th: Males-22 Females-2 Unknown-1

April 8^th: Males-32 Females-6 Unknown-8

April 9^th: Males-32 Females-2 

 

All of the birds seen were in the North Meadow and on the East Ridge, with a few birds on the southern outskirts of the North Meadow towards the Main Lek. No birds have been observed in the Main Lek. We have observed quite a bit of coyote activity, hearing calls throughout the mornings and seeing up to 3 individuals on one morning. A few coyotes have passed near the lek sites, but no response from the birds was observed. Additional wildlife seen at the site include: Elk, Common Raven, Black-billed Magpie, Rough-legged Hawk, Horned Lark, Western Meadow Lark, Mountain Bluebird, Red-winged Blackbird, and Mallards.

 

A few reminders about viewing:

Beginning this year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires all non-commercial viewers to have a hunting or fishing license to visit the site. 

 

Due to COVID-19, we do not have the viewing trailer this year and instead are having visitors view from their vehicles. Please be mindful about not turning on your engine or making other disturbances including opening/closing car doors or leaving vehicles until the volunteer has confirmed that the birds have finished their displays and left the lek. 

 

The site will be closed beginning this Sunday, April 11^th, until the 17^th to give the birds a break from the presence of visitors during this important stage in their reproduction. The site will re-open April 18^th. Thank you so much for your cooperation in reducing disturbance to this imperiled and highly sensitive species that we are so privileged to observe, and have a wonderful time viewing!