The refuge needs volunteers from March 15-April 30.  Contact Marla at the Refuge if you would like to volunteer on a different date: marla_bennett@fws.gov or 541-947-2731.

PROJECT DETAILS: Count and observe sage-grouse when they gather at their springtime breeding grounds known as "leks." There are 52 known leks on the refuge.

The ONDA trip will arrive Wednesday April 25, count on the mornings of the 26^th, 27^th and 28^th.  We will meet at Hart Mountain Headquarters to get our specific assignment and will have the luxury of staying in the bunkhouse by headquarters.  We need a minimum of 5 volunteers for this trip.

BACKGROUND: Greater sage-grouse were first petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2000.  In 2005 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that the species was "not warranted" for ESA protections, discounting large-scale losses of sage-grouse population and distribution throughout the sage-steppe biome.  Last year, Hart Mountain found sage-grouse on 28 of their 52 known leks.  Colleting this data allows the Refuge to document population trends on Hart Mountain.

COST: Free

ITINERARY FROM THE REFUGE: The day begins by getting up around 4 a.m., although this time changes as daybreak time gets earlier and daylight savings time begins.  Drive a truck (or truck and ATV, but must have taken ATV training through the FWS) to the nearest access to the lek, then hike to it.  Some leks are only a few hundred yards from the road; some are a mile's hike or more.  The weather can be very cold and nasty--often it is snowing and blowing.  Hike in the dark (headlamp or flashlight advised) to a viewpoint near the lek, trying to arrive there at daybreak, but not so close to the lek that the birds flush.  Set up a spotting scope on a tripod and count birds by sex.  Count and recount until you feel you have the best count possible.  Then come back to HQ to warm up.  The entire elapsed time varies from 2-5 hours, depending upon the lek.

GPS coordinates and a map are given to each lek monitor the day before they count. Some people may feel more secure to go to the lek the day before to make sure they can find it in daylight (no birds will be there then) and to find out how long it takes them to get there so they can miss as little sleep as possible the next morning!  Not all leks have birds, and we need to know that, but most do.  Displaying birds are a glorious sight, well worth the early morning and cold conditions!!