2009-02-26_REPORT - C1982057 (14)

Home Browse Search

the peak male counts and overall trend in attendance correlates with the total number of grouse. Although the total number of grouse recorded in the first four years of monitoring (1998 through 2001) for the Seneca II-West Mine were relatively low (less than 5 individuals each year), the number of males observed attending leks in the following 6 years (2002 through 2007) increased slightly, ranging from 8 to 14 males per year (Table 1). In 2008, male attendance remained fairly stable with the previous counts, as 12 total males were recorded. In addition, early spring conditions were particularly harsh (i.e., substantial snow cover remaining from record precipitation during the winter and inclement weather that continued into June) and may have contributed to lower detections. Although annual counts at leks can be biased by factors such as weather conditions during surveys, the number of site visits, and vegetative features (which can obscure observation), the previous years' weather events and conditions are also an important factor in explaining fluctuations in sharp-tailed grouse populations and consequently the number of grouse at leks. In years during and following drought, lower numbers of males per lek are generally observed, whereas increased numbers of males per lek generally occur following years when spring and summer moisture falls at the optimum time to maximize reproduction and brood • survival. Despite relatively low counts between 1998 and 2001, an average of over 11 sharp- tailed grouse per year has been recorded within the Seneca II-West Mine survey area during that time and an average of greater than 15 grouse have been documented from 2002 through 2008. The Seneca II-West lek is located within native sagebrush grasslands just south of the Seneca II- West Mine haul road in NW SE Section 22 T5N:R88W. Although the location was not officially designated as a lek site until females were documented at the site in 2002, male sharp-tailed grouse were observed in the general vicinity from 1998 through 2001. Since 2001, the male attendance has averaged 5.7 males with a peak count of 8 males in 2003. In previous years, the topography and vegetation at the site prevented remote observation, and thus, generally restricted observers to flush counts. In 2004 and 2005, displaying activity was centralized approximately 25 feet east of the known lek site, and in 2008, six displaying males and four females were seen on a topsoil pile approximately 1000 feet east of the lek site. Although four additional grouse (sex undetermined) were also seen flying in the area at that time, no grouse were observed at the • original lek site. 2008 Seneca II-West Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 4