This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sage grouse are getting a lot of attention as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service works to decide if the bird deserves an endangered species listing. An announcement is expected this fall.
Here's a chance to see what the unique birds look like:
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is holding a free greater sage grouse viewing April 11 near Price.
Sage grouse gather this time of year on traditional mating grounds known as leks. The males strut their stuff for the females, making strange sounds while inflating their chests and sometimes scuffling in a wing-flapping battle.
The strutting is an early-morning phenomenon, with the action starting in the pre-dawn light.
Division of Wildlife Resources biologists will be on-site to help people spot the sage grouse.
Participants need to be quiet and keep their distance around the lek as the birds can be scared off by people, raptors and other predators. And people should bring binoculars and spotting scopes if they have them, but DWR staffers also will have some on hand.
The viewing location is at Emma Park, just off Highway 6. Look for the Emma Park Road sign just south of the turnoff to Scofield State Park. Emma Park Road links Highway 6 and U.S. 191. Look for a state truck pulled over indicating where the birds can be found.
For more information call Brent Stettler at 435-613-3707 or 435-636-6731.
Brett Prettyman