sstephenson@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE - They're exhibitionists, these sage grouse, regal as they strut around their leks, puffing up their chests - high on the winds of spring.

Life just seems more carefree when your time is spent wooing feathered lady friends and making whoopee amongst the sage.

But while spring leaves these guys feeling a bit, well, twitterpated, the future of these birds is a little more serious.

Drought and development are taking their toll on sage-grouse habitat.

Actions are in motion to look at the possibility of listing the bird on the endangered species list.

Task forces are being appointed within the state to try to manage and conserve the bird.

Biologists, politicians, developers, and wildlife enthusiasts are waiting, breath baited, trying to glimpse into the future.

Who knew one bird could have such an impact on every facet of this state?

What are they?

Sage Grouse

I.D. Male: large size; white breast; black bib and belly; long, pointed tail; mottled brown back; yellow comb. Female: mottled brown plumage, black belly

Size: Male: 27-34 inches, Female: 18-24 inches

Range: locally common in north central Colorado and the Wyoming Rockies

Habitat: sagebrush flats in the plains, foothills or intermountain valleys.

Nesting: typically on the Great Plains; on the ground, usually under sagebrush; in a shallow depression sparsely lined with leaves and grass; female incubates 6-9 eggs for up to 27 days.

Feeding: mostly sagebrush leaves; flowers, buds and terrestrial insects during summer

Voice: generally silent. Male: on breeding grounds, gurgles or makes a hollow plop-plop sound as air is released from the air sacs. Female: on breeding grounds, quak-quak.

Similar Species: Ring-necked Pheasant and Blue Grouse.

Source: Birds of the Rocky Mountains, Chris C. Fisher

Who is watching them?

In short: everyone.

More recently, local groups have joined together to form a state-wide team tasked with making a plan to help manage and conserve the bird.

The Sage-grouse Implementation team was commissioned by Gov. Dave Freudenthal in 2007 and has been fast at work to create a list of recommendations.

Most recently the group has compiled a map of core breeding areas, an important step toward understanding what types of habitat they prefer, what should be protected, and where.

Bob Budd, chairman for the Sage-grouse Implementation Team, said they are taking a different approach to mapping the bird. Rather than identify areas that sage grouse should inhabit (in theory), they are identifying areas they already are.

"Where are the birds?" he said. "Where are the places they have chosen to be?"

Once they have identified that they can target those areas to maintain populations statewide.

"The birds are pretty damn happy where they're at," Budd said. "Don't make ridiculous management changes in an area where we have a core population."

Budd said they think they have about 70-80 percent of the birds covered in the core population areas.

"We know where they are. We have a pretty good idea of what activities are taking place in the area. The next step will be beginning the process of an executive order to outline what we want," he said.

Ryan Lance, deputy chief of staff for Freudenthal, said because of all the different entities involved in the sage grouse issue, an executive order would be the most flexible option for the state at this point.

"Preserve the bird where they're at," Lance said. "That is just logical."

What impact might a listing have on the state?

From some, the idea of sage grouse being placed on the endangered species list is akin to the sky falling.

"A lot of people are panicked," Budd said.

He said while a listing would have state-wide impact, the time to panic has not arrived.

"We have time," he said. "Lets do it right."

By taking steps now, he said they hope to avoid a listing, or conversely, if the bird is listed, they will have a plan in place to manage the bird.

Lance said U.S. Fish and Wildlife is currently in the beginning phases of looking at whether to list the bird. This is the second time they have considered putting sage grouse on the endangered species list since 2005. Currently they are collecting data which they will then evaluate over the next year.

There's no doubt that listing sage grouse will change the face of the state.

Budd points to the placement of wolves on the endangered species list. He said even though that species only existed in the northwest portion of the state, the impact could be felt in agriculture, mineral exploration, recreation and business.

"Now we're talking about a species that is in all the counties except three," he said.

Lance said many people he talks to are under the impression that it would only impact things like grazing.

Not so, he said. Listing the bird could affect anything from road construction, oil and gas exploration to hunting.

"It's anything tied to that species," he said.

Lance emphasized the importance of the local groups when it came to understanding the challenges facing the bird and educating the public.

He said the governor was adamant that the Sage-grouse Implementation team not replace the local working groups.

"There's a huge role for local groups," he said.

He said the decision on whether or not to list the bird will probably come by May of 2009, but they hope it will be sooner.

What's the latest research?

If you happened to be browsing through the Rattlesnake hills in the middle of the night in recent weeks, you might have noticed something a little strange: ATV's with bright spot lights sprinting through the darkness.

If you looked close enough you might have seen a person running alongside the ATV with a net. Strange things happen in the middle of the night.

The mid-night jaunts were part of a sage grouse study being conducted by University of Wyoming graduate student Cheryl Mandich.

Mandich is collaring birds in the area to determine their seasonal habitat. In addition to that, they are collecting data on parasites. Very little is known about parasites and diseases in sage grouse.

She said to catch the birds they would first spotlight them, then approach the bird in darkness. One person would remain on the 4-wheeler while the other ran on foot. They would then shine the spotlight on the bird and run toward it.

"Between the sound of the 4-wheeler and the light, it freezes," Mandich said.

The ATV would make a sharp turn before reaching the bird, and the person on foot would net it.

They then placed a small collar around their neck, similar to a necklace, which will transmit the location, which is then recorded.

The group collared about 80 birds in six nights of trapping and will begin to monitor them in the following weeks.

While there is general knowledge about sage grouse habitat, biologists are only beginning to get a state-wide look at the bird's core areas.

Much of this type of research is helping groups like the Sage-grouse Implementation Team refine their data and maps.

"Any and all info we can get to supplement the knowledge we have is valuable," said team chairman, Bob Budd. "One thing we know for sure is we don't have all the answers. But you've got to start somewhere."

Where can I see them?

Baggs

Upper Red Creek Lek: Take Hwy 789 north of Baggs about 7 miles to Red Creed Rd (no sign), which is on the west side. This road is about 0.25 miles south of a large metal building that is on the east side of Hwy 789. Go west on the Red Creek Rd. about 4.3 miles to an intersection and then go north (right) about 1 mile. The lek is in the road on a small curve.

Casper

Hat Six Lek: Take I-25 east of Casper to the Hat Six Road (Hwy 253). Travel south on Hat Six Road about 7 miles to County Rd. 605. Turn left (east) on 605. The lek is about 0.25 miles down the road and is marked by a large sign.

Medicine Bow

Foote Creek 46 Lek: From Medicine Bow go south on County Road 1 about 12.7 miles to Foote Creek. From the cattle guard on Foote Creek go 1.3 miles further south. Lek is about 100 yards off the east side of the road.

Walcott/Saratoga

Pass Creek 24 Lek: From I-80- At Walcott Junction take Wyoming Hwy 130 south about 10 miles. Turn left on Pass Creek Rd. (County road 440). Travel east on this road about two miles. Lek is on the right side of the road.

Source: Wyoming Game and Fish

Ethics

1. Arrive at lek sites at least one hour before sunrise.

2. Don't drive onto the lek. Park away from the edge of the lek.

3. Turn off the vehicle lights and engine.

4. Use binoculars and spotting scopes to observe birds.

5. Stay in your vehicle.

6. Do not make loud noises or sudden movements.

7. Do not leave until the birds do.

8. Keep pets in your vehicle. Better yet, leave them home.

9. Do no trespass on private land.

10. Postpone your visit if roads are muddy.

Be especially cautious with viewing activities during late March and early April when breeding activity usually peaks. Late April is a better time to visit because most of the breeding is complete but the males are still actively strutting.

Source: Wyoming Game and Fish