04-15-2008, 12:53 AM
The sound that male sage-grouse make, as they "strut" on their breeding grounds, is one of the most unique things you'll ever hear in nature.
And the sight of the grouse strutting is pretty unique too!
You can hear and watch this ritual yourself at a free wildlife viewing event. The event will happen April 12 at Emma Park, about 13 miles north of Price.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring the event.
To see and hear the spectacle, you need to be at the viewing site early. Viewing is best before sunrise and just after the sun has risen. Grouse leave their strutting ground within an hour or so after sun up.
After leaving their breeding ground, the grouse spend the daylight hours feeding and resting in stands of sagebrush. They remain mostly out-of-sight until the following morning, when they congregate at their strutting ground at first light.
DWR biologists will be on hand with spotting scopes and binoculars. They'll help you find the grouse and answer any questions you have.
And the sight of the grouse strutting is pretty unique too!
You can hear and watch this ritual yourself at a free wildlife viewing event. The event will happen April 12 at Emma Park, about 13 miles north of Price.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring the event.
To see and hear the spectacle, you need to be at the viewing site early. Viewing is best before sunrise and just after the sun has risen. Grouse leave their strutting ground within an hour or so after sun up.
After leaving their breeding ground, the grouse spend the daylight hours feeding and resting in stands of sagebrush. They remain mostly out-of-sight until the following morning, when they congregate at their strutting ground at first light.
DWR biologists will be on hand with spotting scopes and binoculars. They'll help you find the grouse and answer any questions you have.