Sage Grouse Leks on Recently Disturbed Sites

Abstract

Three sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) leks located on recently disturbed areas within the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site are described. A possible increase in the grouse population and lack of suitable natural clearings in the general vicinity of these leks are suggested as reasons for the bird’s use of these areas. This species’ acceptance of newly cleared sites for display areas may have potential as a management tool. This paper describes three sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) leks we located on recently disturbed areas while conducting an inventory of leks on and near the Idaho National Engineering Labortory Site (INEL) during the springs of 1978 and 1979. Sage grouse leks are generally considered to be traditional display areas with birds returning to the same area year after year. One lek near Laramie, Wyoming, has been reported to have been occupied for at least 28 years (Wiley 1978). Dalke et al. (1963) suggested that some leks in southeastern Idaho may have been active since the time of Indian occupancy, at least 100 years prior to their study. Although the formation of new leks has not been well documented, it seems that sage grouse will quickly take advantage of new disturbed areas (Dalke et al. 1960, 1963). This species has been observed to use plowed, paved roads and man-made clearings in eastern Wyoming when their traditional display areas were covered with snow (A. W. Alldredge pers. comm.). Further, recent research in Montana suggests that sage grouse leks can be relocated using man-made clearings (R. Eng and E. Pitcher pers. comm.).