During this past winter 30 hens were tagged. Work is now under way to tag another 25 that will be closely monitored during the summer months, said Terry Messmer, USU Extension wildlife specialist. Continued funding of this project will enable researchers to map habitat use of these bird populations. With habitats pinpointed, structures can be built to protect these birds from avian predators as well as allow for brush management, such as growing more grasses in critical summer range areas, Bagley said. Joel Flory, USU graduate student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, has been collecting preliminary biological data of the northern sage grouse.
Spring is an active time of the year for the male birds, who are noisy wooers.
They use a unique love call, or song, that is accompanied by much strutting and spreading of feathers. These mating areas are called dancing grounds. Such an area is where Flory is currently tagging the hens. The life cycle needs of these birds and what is threatening them cannot be ignored if they are to be helped. A connection might be made between prairie dog declines and grouse declines.