Colorado “Chicken Odyssey” – Sharp-tails in the Yampa Valley

It is another long ride from Grand Junction to Craig in the northwestern part of Colorado, as we follow the Colorado River to Rifle, before heading north along a stretch of scenic wilderness to Craig. The Yampa River runs westwards from the continental divide east of Steamboat Springs, through the town of Craig, and into Utah.

Dusky Grouse favor patches, some very extensive, of Gambel Oaks. Once again, other than droppings and tracks that were easy enough to see in the snow, it eludes us. We had far better luck with Sharp-tailed Grouse on a lek! What a location, set on a knoll overlooking a snow covered valley with Sandhill Cranes (above) bugling to one side and the Sleeping Giant, a prominent landmark, in the other direction.

We watched Mink running along open stretches of a frozen stream, Muskrat (above) feeding on an icy pond, and Elk roaming the distance hills. Our hosts, Ron and Louise were extraordinary, you could not ask for a nicer couple. Sadly, the second group missed out on their hospitality, as well as the coffee and muffins.

On a balmy, 44 degree, overcast morning, the second group watched 19 Sharp-tailed Grouse (two fewer than the first tour) on the snow covered lek, as the males paired off facing each other. With wings bowed one would wait for the other to flinch before going after him, jumping up and chasing him away.

We were close enough to see the feet stomping in place as they slowly turned in a tight circle, and to hear them clucking as well as their tails rattling. The purple timpani, neck air sac was visible. They would run like a race car in all directions. A flock of Common Raven flew over the lek, flushing the grouse to the safety of the nearby hedgerow. A minute later, with it being all clear, they were back to business on the lek. Along the hedgerow a female had flown up to the top of an oak, possibly just to look around. This drew the attention of a male who displayed for her at the base of the tree. For most of us this lek was ‘the show’ of the trip.

Other birds around Ron’s yard included a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds amongst many Red-winged at the feeders, Red-shafted Flicker, Mountain Bluebird, Gray-crowned Rosy-finches, including the Hepburn’s race and a Black Rosy-finch for the first group.

Following breakfast in Steamboat, the second group visited neighborhood feeders yielded a dozen Evening Grosbeaks, many Cassin’s Finch and Pine Siskins, as well as three surprising Band-tailed Pigeons. Along the Elk River (above) we watched several American Dippers foraging along the snow bank and on boulders in the river.

Not only is the Steamboat Safeway, a convenient bathroom stop but it’s a great place to grocery shop. There was a lovely incident inside, when a message comes over the intercom, “Would the manager please come to the women’s restroom immediately!” In no time at all, the manager showed up in full gear, wellies and raincoat, prepared to clean up the flooded bathroom. Once we all assembled back in the van, it turns out the guilty party was one of ours – smily broadly of course!

Next…..North Park

all photos © adrian binns