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UPLAND GAME BIRDS ', • The Seneca #1 lek, in mine reclamation, was active for the sixth consecutive year in 2000. Forty-two grouse were flushed from the lek on 25 April. Prior to flushing the birds, a minimum of 18 males and five females were identified. Tall grass made it impossible to get a complete count of grouse without flushing the birds. Flush counts on two mornings revealed more grouse than could be identified through careful observations. The 42 grouse observed in April 2000 represents the highest count ever at the Seneca #1 lek (Table 2). Although only 18 males were identified, it is probable that a larger proportion of the 42 birds were male. The second lek in reclamation, Seneca #2, was active for the third consecutive year in 2000. A flush count of 38 grouse was made on 25 April. The sex of only 29 of those birds could be determined before flushing them, 22 males and 7 females. The peak count of all grouse, and males in particular, was higher in 2000 than any previous year (Table 2). Each spring from 1998 through 2000, a few sharp-tailed grouse were seen displaying at a third site in reclamation. That site is between the Seneca #1 and #2 leks in NE'/o NEY4 Section 11, TSN, R87W. On 27 April 2000, two males were recorded at that site. Until • females are documented at the site, it cannot be defined as a lek. The high counts at the Seneca #1 and #2 leks in 2000 are consistent with increased lek counts throughout northwestern Colorado (Colorado Division of Wildlife unpublished data, obtained from R. Hoffman). Although increased lek attendance by males is an indication of increasing populations, the number of leks in an area is a better measure of a population's status (Cannon and Knopf 1981). The establishment of two new leks at Seneca II since 1995 is a positive indication. The decline of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Colorado has been attributed to the loss and degradation of native grassland, sagebrush grassland, and mountain brush habitats. It has been recognized that post-mining reclamation provides suitable habitat for lek sites, nesting, and brood rearing. Reclamation at Seneca II boasts two leks. Each spring from 1998 through 2000, a male blue grouse (Dendragopus obscurus) was seen near a mine road at Seneca II. On 27 April, a male grouse was flushed from near the road in SW'/a SE'/a Section 35, T6N, R87W. The grouse flushed a short distance into dense . mountain brush vegetation and began `hooting' (courtship display call). 2000 Seneca 11 Mine Wildlire Monitoring Page 8