Thanks to Bill Schmoker and Glenn Giroir for use of their images. Remarkably, this bird was not recognized as a separate species from the Greater Sage-Grouse until the year 2000. A rare and localized bird, found in southwestern Colorado and a small part of adjacent Utah. Male Gunnison Sage-Grouse gather on the lek or strutting grounds, which are small, open areas where breeding occurs, in late February to April. Approved by the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee June 20, 2018 Lek:The official lek status and high male count are defined and reported from lekking data collected and published by CPW in their annual Gunnison Basin Lek Count Summary and Population Estimate. The Colorado Birding Trail was made possible by a joint effort of many federal, state and non-profit agencies and most especially, the people of Colorado. Site Management: Dates of Access: Lekking seasonHours: AnyOwnership: PrivateAdmission: Free, Handicapped: NoHandicapped Access: Viewing from car, Latitude: 38.4637876Longitude: -106.6119775, » Visit the website for Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek. Because of this species’ low numbers, only one lek is accessible to the public as of 2015. Gunnison County prohibits parking along the side of the county road (CR 887) adjacent to the watchable wildlife site. Colorado: Lekking Grouse, Rocky Mountains, and Open Plains April 2022/2023 Colorado offers one of the most spectacular North American birding spectacles with the spring lekking season of several grouse species including the stunning Gunnison (Sage) and (Greater) Sage Grouse and the ever declining Greater and Lesser Prairie Chickens. No overnight camping is allowed at the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site. This does not apply to commercial groups who are covered under Sisk-a-dee’s commercial use permit. Gunnison Sage Grouse. Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires all users of State Wildlife Areas to purchase a Colorado hunting or fishing license. If you want to see this rare and local species during the mating season, chances are you will need to come here. If you want to know more about Gunnison Sage-grouse contact Sisk-a-dee at 970-641-3959 or the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) at 970-641-7060. To minimize … Proceeds go to protecting wildlife habitat. The county sheriff's office has agreed to patrol the site and enforce the no parking policy. The best time to view the elaborate and bizarre breeding dance of the Gunnison Sage-grouse is from 1 April to early-May. The site is closed starting on May 1, 2021, no viewing is available after May 1. Remain very quiet; if you do talk keep your voices to a whisper. 0:07. 2003; Walsh et al. Nests:on the ground at the base of a live sagebrush bush. If you do not wish to view the sage-grouse from your car, you may reserve the viewing trailer (www.siskadee.org for more information) for a fee, or you may attend one of the free tours led by Sisk-a-dee. Prepared in cooperation with the National … Afterwards, if we haven’t had luck with rosy-finches … Where do Gunnison sage-grouse live? Download Greater Sage-Grouse: Ecology and Conservation of a Landscape Species and Its Habitats. Times are adjusted for daylight savings. Gunnison Sage-grouse Viewing Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site: General Public Users. Western State Colorado University hosts a page about the lek, its current viewing conditions, and behavior and precautions for lek … Our long drive back to Denver will be broken up with stops along the way. Turn off vehicle engine when you arrive and do not start up engine until you leave. Directions: The public viewing lek is on CR 887 (Waunita Hot Springs Road) off US 50, about 19 miles east of Gunnison. Colorado Parks and Wildlife owns and manages the pull off. Sage-grouse often show strong fidelity to traditional lek sites, and some Gunnison sage-grouse leks have been used since the 1950s (Rogers 1964). Mating takes place from early April through early May. Sage-grouse species in North America were once abundant and widespread but have declined throughout their range (Schroeder et al. 5 years ago | 3 views. Sisk-a-dee provides educational programs and viewings for the public and holds the permit to coordinate the commercial use of the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Males gather by the dozens, or even hundreds, in an opening in the sage to perform … Protocols are enforced by them. 2004; Gunnison Sage‐Grouse Rangewide Steering Committee 2005), detectability is not accounted for (Walsh et al. Bottom: Male and Female Gunnison Sage-Grouse on the Lek. Early brood-rearing habitat is similar to … Gunnison Sage-grouse Lek Viewing Information and Protocol . Attractions: Waunita hot springs are just up the road. Yellow eye combs and long black filoplumes on neck show when courting. Males gather on the lek or strutting grounds, which are small, open areas where breeding occurs, in late February to April, as soon as the lek is relatively free of snow. The Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a newly named species native to the Gunnison Basin and surrounding areas, recognized by the American Ornithological Union in 2000.It was formerly known as the Northern sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which is spread throughout the western United States.The Gunnison sage-grouse is about 2/3 the size … Night at Gunnison. After mating, the hen leaves the lek for the nesting grounds. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), also known as the sagehen, is the largest grouse (a type of bird) in North America. Here’s the regulation: It is unlawful to enter, use or occupy any State Wildlife Area or portion thereof for all persons 18 years of age and older without a proper and valid hunting or fishing license except as otherwise provided in Regulation. General Public Viewers The Official Status of a lek is given as The Gunnison Sage-grouse is a seriously imperiled species and highly vulnerable to human disturbance. Nesting is from mid-April until June, after which hens may migrate some distance from the lek, … Gunnison Sage-grouse Rangewide Conservation Plan III. You must remain in your car until all birds have flushed from the lek. Group Users: please see the Group Users page for more Information. After the lek, we will head east over Monarch Pass and the Continental Divide for high elevation species as we head for a late breakfast. If you want to see this rare and local species during the mating season, chances are you will need to come here. In Colorado, these are the Pinon Mesa, Crawford, San Miguel Basin, Gunnison Basin, Dove Creek, … Waunita Hot Springs Ranch, 8 miles northeast of the lek, also offers lodging (970-641-1266, http://www.waunita.com). Gunnison Sage-grouse Lek He holds his wings bent in front of his body, then moves his head forward while puffing out his body and pulling his wings back, which … Only a few dominant males, usually two, breed. From mid-March to late May, many males migrate to lek sites, often returning to the same one every season. Directly east of the observation site, observe the ridge top through a spotting scope and then scan left (north) along the entire length of the ridge to its end at a broad plateau. This is the only site where Gunnison Sage-grouse viewing is permitted on public or private land in the Gunnison Basin. The county sheriff's office has agreed to patrol the site and enforce the no parking policy. Typically Gunnison Sage-grouse are seen on top of the eastern ridge. Basic Life History: Lek Season: Mid-March thru May. 2004, 2010), potential problems with observer bias may exist (Walsh et al. Photo: Nappadol Paothong (Washington, D.C., September 27, 2010) The decision by the U.S. Western Colorado University (WCU) provides volunteers to monitor the bird population and human disturbances at the site. A male Gunnison Sage-grouse performing a strut display on a lek in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado. All Rights Reserved. The Birding Trail links outdoor recreation sites, both public and private, into a network through a designated driving route. Browse more videos. Day 7 – Our earliest start of the trip is for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek. Aliases: Waunita Hot Springs lek The Gunnison Sage-Grouse is Colorado’s closest claim to an endemic species and the only new bird species discovered in the U.S. in many years. Viewing Information and Protocol. Gunnison Sage-Grouse: Recognized as a species in 2000. Eggs:6-10, incubation is about 28 days. The Gunnison Sage-Grouse need s several different habitats. New in 2021. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that the Gunnison Sage-Grouse is … Please pull up as close as possible to the vehicle in front. Playing next. Gunnison Sunrises 2021 The continued survival of the birds at this lek depends on your cooperation. Possible … The lek area is surrounded by private property and birders attempting to view the grouse alongside the county road risk harassing Gunnison Sage-grouse. If you are the first vehicle, pull up into the semi-circular drive behind the rock wall as far north as you can. 1999). Report. are closely associated with sagebrush (Artemisia) ecosystems in western … Our last very early morning will be at the Waunita lek, where we hope to see Gunnison Sage-Grouse. http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/HabitatStamp.aspx. Due to a precipitous decline in numbers at the lek here, there are strict rules on viewing the birds: arrive before dawn, and wait until the birds finish their mating ritual before leaving; don’t leave your car, and don’t make any unnecessary movements and noises. [Gunnison Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus minimus] [View of an open landscape of sagebrush as the sun rises.] HOME | VIEWING SITE | EVENTS | LINKS | CONTACT US, http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/HabitatStamp.aspx. It lays its eggs in one area, ra ises its chicks in another, and finds a mate in yet another habitat. It is currently protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Nests are generally located beneath sagebrush plants. Habitat Stamp:  Visitors of Colorado State Wildlife Areas may purchase a Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Directions to the Waunita Lek: Gunnison Sage-grouse predictably use the Waunita Lek, located 19 miles east of Gunnison just north of Hwy 50. 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