Have You Ever Wanted To Conduct a Greater Sage-Grouse Lek Count?
The Friends of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge will sponsor a Greater Sage-Grouse lek count for members from Thursday, March 28, to Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Hart Mountain. From mid-March and mid-April, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surveys mating area ‘leks’ to track sage grouse population trends on Hart Mountain. You can participate as a ‘citizen scientist’ to help monitor this iconic bird.
Participants will be limited to active members (i.e., those whose dues are paid up as of the application date). Selection will be on a first come basis and spots are limited. Each individual must apply separately; that is, couples must apply individually. Participants must be in fit condition and willing to arise as early as 4:00 AM, walking over rough ground in the dark and in freezing and sometimes wet weather to be in place at the lek before sunrise. The task can be challenging but the rewards, unforgettable.
Participants will be limited to active members (i.e., those whose dues are paid up as of the application date). Selection will be on a first come basis and spots are limited. Each individual must apply separately; that is, couples must apply individually. Participants must be in fit condition and willing to arise as early as 4:00 AM, walking over rough ground in the dark and in freezing and sometimes wet weather to be in place at the lek before sunrise. The task can be challenging but the rewards, unforgettable.
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Sage-grouse lek counts are among the most exciting and challenging activities on the refuge. It is also one of the most important. Protection of the Greater Sage-Grouse, which is threatened though not officially listed as endangered, requires accurate data. While data collection is the primary mission of the lek counts, this is an unparalleled opportunity to observe the mating performance of the male sage-grouse as well as view interactions with other refuge species. It is common, for example, to see pronghorn also watching the male sage-grouse strutting.
The counts last until around 10:00AM, when the birds begin to depart the lek. At that point we return to the bunkhouse for a second breakfast and to record data. Afternoons are generally free, though group leaders and some participants may hike out to scout the next morning’s leks.
The counts last until around 10:00AM, when the birds begin to depart the lek. At that point we return to the bunkhouse for a second breakfast and to record data. Afternoons are generally free, though group leaders and some participants may hike out to scout the next morning’s leks.
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We will meet at the Hart Mountain Refuge bunkhouse at 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 28 for an orientation to the refuge and training in the protocol for conducting the lek survey. The mornings of March 29, 30 and 31 are spent in the field surveying in small groups. The survey starts with a pre-dawn drive to a point nearest the lek. Then donning a headlamp, we walk a short distance through sage bush and over rocky terrain, where you will have the opportunity to observe the mating ritual of the sage grouse and count the birds at the lek. After returning to the bunkhouse by mid-morning, you can hike during daylight to become familiar with the following day’s lek, explore the refuge and surroundings, or relax at the bunkhouse. For a description of the lek count from a new member in 2018 click here.
Friends of Hart Mountain volunteers are welcome to stay at the Refuge housing facilities. The bunkhouse and mobile home are equipped with individual sleeping quarters (or shared with one other person, depending on the size of the group), refrigerators, stoves, microwave ovens, cookware, and utensils. The bunkhouse also has separate men’s and women’s bathrooms/showers. In addition to food, you will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel and other personal items. The Refuge does not provide housekeeping service, so you are expected to clean the housing facility before you leave.
Early mornings are cold (below freezing) and windy, so appropriate clothing–warm coats, long underwear, rain pants, hiking boots, warm socks and head lamps are necessary. The terrain is rocky; sturdy boots with good ankle support are advised. You will need to use binoculars (or a spotting scope) to conduct the survey. The Refuge has a limited supply of binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and car window mounts which may be checked out when Refuge personnel are on duty. The refuge also has a limited number of vehicles that can be used by volunteers. Those who have them, should bring their own binoculars, spotting scopes and GPS devices; the refuge will furnish the necessary equipment for those who do not. Some may wish to bring cameras. Remember, our primary goal is an accurate count of the birds, which requires not disturbing the lek. That means that we must remain at some distance (0.1 mi) from the lek, which will require at least a 300mm lens for a decent shot.
In conjunction with the lek count, the Board of Friends of Hart Mountain will hold a brief meeting. Participants will be welcome to join us to discuss future activities and directions.
Participants should arrive no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 28 and expect to depart late Sunday morning, May 31, following that day’s count and cleaning up the bunk house. More detailed information on what to expect and what to bring will be sent to successful applicants.
APPLICATION and SELECTION:
Applications will be available on this website at 8:00 AM PT, Tuesday, January 15 and will remain open for one week or until a sufficient number of qualified applications has been received. Selection will be on a first-come basis. Successful candidates will be notified by e-mail by or before Feb 1. Others will be placed on a backup list.
Friends of Hart Mountain volunteers are welcome to stay at the Refuge housing facilities. The bunkhouse and mobile home are equipped with individual sleeping quarters (or shared with one other person, depending on the size of the group), refrigerators, stoves, microwave ovens, cookware, and utensils. The bunkhouse also has separate men’s and women’s bathrooms/showers. In addition to food, you will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel and other personal items. The Refuge does not provide housekeeping service, so you are expected to clean the housing facility before you leave.
Early mornings are cold (below freezing) and windy, so appropriate clothing–warm coats, long underwear, rain pants, hiking boots, warm socks and head lamps are necessary. The terrain is rocky; sturdy boots with good ankle support are advised. You will need to use binoculars (or a spotting scope) to conduct the survey. The Refuge has a limited supply of binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and car window mounts which may be checked out when Refuge personnel are on duty. The refuge also has a limited number of vehicles that can be used by volunteers. Those who have them, should bring their own binoculars, spotting scopes and GPS devices; the refuge will furnish the necessary equipment for those who do not. Some may wish to bring cameras. Remember, our primary goal is an accurate count of the birds, which requires not disturbing the lek. That means that we must remain at some distance (0.1 mi) from the lek, which will require at least a 300mm lens for a decent shot.
In conjunction with the lek count, the Board of Friends of Hart Mountain will hold a brief meeting. Participants will be welcome to join us to discuss future activities and directions.
Participants should arrive no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 28 and expect to depart late Sunday morning, May 31, following that day’s count and cleaning up the bunk house. More detailed information on what to expect and what to bring will be sent to successful applicants.
APPLICATION and SELECTION:
Applications will be available on this website at 8:00 AM PT, Tuesday, January 15 and will remain open for one week or until a sufficient number of qualified applications has been received. Selection will be on a first-come basis. Successful candidates will be notified by e-mail by or before Feb 1. Others will be placed on a backup list.
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