Documentation of Gunnison Sage-Grouse
2014-201

Observer Information

Reporter:  Todd HUll    Longmont, CO  
E-mail:  toddrobhull@yahoo.com
Other Observers:  my cousin

Species, Date, Time and Location Information

Species:  Gunnison Sage-Grouse
First Date/Time:  8/15/2014 3:40:00 PM
Last Date/Time:  8/15/2014 3:43:00 PM
Duration (total time in view):  approx. 3 minutes
County:  Gunnison
Specific Location:  Kebler Pass (CR 12)
Number:  1
Age:  Unknown
Sex:  Unknown
Plumage:  Other/Unknown

Habitat

on the road. but no sage brush in area

Viewing Conditions

Optics:  eyes, camera
Distance:  30 meters
Light:  daylight, overcast

Description of the Bird

It was just standing on the side of the road and did not flush as the car went by. We stopped approx. 30 meters down the road and I took some pictures. It didn't move the whole time, except to turn its head.

Similar Species Discussion

I'm not an expert, but I think it might be a Gunnison Sage Grouse rather than a Dusky (Blue) or a Greater because of the barring on the tail.

Resources Used

We'd stopped by the DOW office in Gunnison the day before and gotten a confirmation from a biologist that birds we'd seen and photographed on 14 Aug 2014 on Gold Basin Rd. south of town were Gunnison Sage Grouses rather than Duskys or Greaters. The main diagnostic given by the biologist was the barred tail. We looked at specimens and photographs while we were at the office.

Previous Experience

Very little. We just saw one group and brought the pictures to the DOW office for confirmation. That's the extent of my experience. I saw and photographed a pair of Dusky Sage Grouses at Grand Tetons Nat'l park in 2012. That's it.

Notes

Review of photos

Date Documentation Submitted

8/24/2014 6:59:00 PM
Click left or right edges of photos to move through all; click outside image to close

Location Map

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