Watching Sharp-tailed Grouse Dance


Closeup of the face of a male Sharp-tailed Grouse while dancing on the lek - Photo: Melissa Hafting

It is always a blessing to be in the presence of lekking threatened Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. The sounds, the dance… it is all so magical to be a witness to it. Grassland birds are suffering steep declines across their range and are impacted by agriculture, development, pesticides, climate change and fires. 60% of grassland birds in Canada have disappeared since the 1970’s. We must do all we can to conserve and save our grassland habitats so that grassland birds and these grouse in particular can dance on and thrive. 

One of my most treasured memories was viewing these birds with my dad, whom I miss so terribly much, every single day. Seeing them made me think of the moment I saw them with him. It uplifted my very sad spirit as I approach the first Father’s Day without him. 

Male Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing - a special moment with my dad 

These photos were taken from a blind to prevent any disturbance. The lek was approached before the grouse arrived (an hour before sunrise) and I left after the last grouse departed. It is tiring and your body aches but it is worth it to share in the magic. The beautiful chevrons on their feathers, the yellow eye-combs, the purple air sacs are all splendid and awe inspiring. The boldness of the sounds and dances they make with their stamping feet, outstretched wings and pointed upright tails of a normally secretive species is something out of this world.

A video of some of the grouse fighting is below. They were really going at it, plucking feathers it is something to see. If you want to see a video of the dance and sounds they make it can also be viewed below the photos.

The location of the sensitive Lek is not shared here since they are of the threatened Blue-listed subspecies and disturbance could cause them to abandon the lek. Studies have proven that repeated human disturbance has had severe impacts on leks with females not returning and males getting displaced preventing copulation and females even abandoning nests. Also lek sites generally should be protected to decrease population declines from hunting near lek sites or visitation outside of the breeding season by hunting dog trainers. These grouse visit lek sites outside of the breeding season as well especially in the fall. However, hunting of this species is not a worry in most of BC where it has not been permitted in the grasslands since 2002. This subspecies is already subjected to population fragmentation here as well due to habitat loss. Now they only occupy less than 10% of their original range in the US and Canada.

Sharp-tailed Grouse on the lek - Photos: Melissa Hafting

Comments

  1. PacificnorthwestkateMay 3, 2023 at 7:49 AM

    This is wonderful Melissa! What an experience! And I’m sure your dad was with you in spirit… I’d love to see grouse perform like that one day! Amazing! Thank you for sharing beautuful images and video and for respecting wildlife! - Kate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa HaftingMay 11, 2023 at 12:42 AM

      Hope you can see it one day I recommend doing the chicken run to colorado. Thanks I am sure he is with me every day but it is still so hard... so much heartbrake.

      Delete
  2. Bobby ScottMay 4, 2023 at 9:03 AM

    Brilliant photos Mel. Love the light what an incredible experience

    ReplyDelete
  3. LonelytravellerMay 4, 2023 at 9:05 AM

    Beautiful pictures and memories

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 4, 2023 at 9:36 AM

    mel how wonderful you got to share this with your dad. these are beautiful pics. i am thinking of you a lot these days in your colossal losses as we approach mother's and father's day you will be in my heart. I know it has only been 2 months since you lost your wonderful dad :( xx Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa HaftingMay 11, 2023 at 12:40 AM

      thanks Ann i was so lucky to have 2 wonderful parents and yes I am dreading mother's day (second without her) and father's day (first without him). Thank you for thinking of me in my grief.

      Delete
  5. MikeMay 5, 2023 at 2:13 PM

    What a cool moment Mel! Thanks for sharig with us.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michelle SloaneJune 1, 2023 at 11:22 PM

    wow simply gorgeous dear melissa

    ReplyDelete

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