Volunteer at a Grouse Lek

There's nothing like a Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) display to usher in a Northwest birdwatcher spring!  Spokane Audubon Society, in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Spokane Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is seeking volunteers to experience this pleasure.

 Volunteers will assist with data collection on the status of sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) for the Lincoln County Prairie Grouse Recovery Project centered on WDFW’s Swanson Lake Wildlife Area and BLM lands in the Lake Creek drainage.  Using WDFW protocols, data collection activities will include lek monitoring, tracking newly released radio-marked birds, and assistance with translocation. Training will be provided by project staff and volunteers.

  Lek monitoring and translocation will occur during March through May 2013.  Volunteers will register and track hours with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Mileage reimbursement and per diem will be provided through an ALEA grant managed by the Spokane Audubon Society.

 The Lincoln County Prairie Grouse Recovery Project, overseen by the WDFW, is considered essential to the survival of sharp-tailed and sage-grouse in Washington.  Both species are state listed and the sage-grouse is a federal candidate for listing.  Habitat degradation and fragmentation are the main contributors to the dramatic population declines of the past several decades.  Recent recovery efforts, including the Lincoln County Prairie Grouse Recovery Project, show evidence of stabilizing the state’s population of both species.

 For seven years, the WDFW has captured sharp-tailed grouse in Idaho and trans-located them to the Recovery Area to bolster a greatly diminished residual native population and improve genetic diversity.  Greater sage-grouse were extirpated from this historic range by the end of the 1980s.  The WDFW has trans-located sage-grouse from Oregon for the past five years to re-establish a population in the area.  The wildlife recovery efforts have been accompanied by the acquisition of public lands by the WDFW and the BLM and public and private habitat restoration work.

 Trans-located birds are radio collared and tracked to determine home range and reproductive activity and success. Annual lek monitoring provides the state’s census data for both species.  These data and other research have yielded valuable information to support habitat restoration decisions. Volunteer assistance with data collection is an important contribution to the recovery efforts.

How do I sign up?

Step 1. Email Kim Thorburn at kthorburn@msn.com  Yes I am signing up!

Step 2. Register on CERVIS at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/volunteer/ 

It is a 2-part process.  Sign up as a volunteer with WDFW and then sign up for the Lincoln Co. Adopt-a-Lek project.   If you don’t hear back from Kim Thorburn in a week please mail Kim  again.

Details for volunteering:

Kim Thorburn Osborn

Q: Who are the trainers?

A:  Kim Thorburn, Spokane Audubon Society. Washington Department of Wildlife: Mike Atamian, Assistant District Wildlife Biologist; Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager and Mike Finch, Asst. Manager.

Q: Where are the lek counts? 

A: Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area is 10 miles south from Hwy 2 and the town of Creston in Lincoln County.

Q: When are the lek counts?

A: March through May. Dates TBA.

Q: Do I have to attend all lek counts?

A: No. We will accommodate your schedule. You may attend one or more training and counts from March through May.

Q: What is the time commitment?

 A: Two days for training and count.  The training is held the afternoon before the count. The count is early the next morning.

Q: Where can I stay for the training?

A: There are free cots at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Headquarters building for volunteers, primitive camping. Motels in Wilbur and Davenport. (Creston does not have a motel) http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/Accommodations.html#Creston

Creston has breakfast/lunch café, no dinner. Cafes in Wilbur and Davenport.

Q: What does the per diem cover?

WDFW ALEA grant will reimburse mileage and meals. Audubon Society members from Kittitas and North Central chapters may have motel reimbursed from National Audubon chapter grants.

Q: What are volunteer requirements?

A: Beginning birding skill and be able to walk up to one mile. Equipment: binoculars, (scope optional); warm clothing and boots (gaters to keep boots/feet dry); 4-wheel drive car/truck optional.

Q: How do I sign up?

A: Step 1. Email Kim Thorburn  at  kthorburn@msn.com

Yes I am signing up!

2. Step 2. Register on CERVIS at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/volunteer/ 

It is a 2-part process.  Sign up as a volunteer with WDFW and then sign up for the Lincoln Co. Adopt-a-Lek project.   If you don’t hear back from Kim Thorburn in a week please mail Kim again.