Locate and enumerate the number of lekking males.
LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
Transect 1: Northward along trail from the fireguard on the east side of 020D (grid X-28), then westward on the main ridge trail (U-23 to G-26), then northward to the site manager's house (D-16).
Transect 2: Northward, then eastward on the trail starting just north of the Hokanson house (H-15), eventually moving southward on the margin of Campbell pasture to junction with main ridge trail (U-23).
FREQUENCY OF SAMPLING
Each transect is run twice in the period from mid-April to early May, the first time in one direction and the second time in the opposite direction.
VARIABLES MEASURED
Location of leks and the number of birds flushed from the lek when it is approached by the observer.
METHODS
At the beginning and end of transect, environmental conditions are recorded: temperature, wind speed, sky cover, and hours since the last rainfall if less than 12 hours. The investigator then drives the transect in the proper direction, stopping and listening for sounds of lekking prairie chickens. The grid square (estimated to tenths) of the lek is recorded and the investigator then walks toward the lek, records its exact location on a map if the lek has not been recorded previously, and counts the number of birds flushed. When the location of the lek has been recorded previously, the investigator walks to that site and counts flushed birds even if no lekking sounds are heard.
Survey Conditions and Equipment:
Temperature - no restrictions
Phase of moon - no restrictions
Precipitation - should not be conducted during rain
Wind - should not be conducted in winds exceeding 10 mph
Time of day - should be started between sunrise and 1 hr after sunrise
Equipment: 7 x 50 mm binoculars
hand anemometer Suunto azimuth liquid-filled compass (Model KB-14) Pocket thermometer Aluminum tally board (E-14 for 8« x 11 sheets of paper)
CAUTION: Field observer must have good hearing and be alert during early morning period.
SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES UP TO 1993
1981-1982: Sampling was done twice: once in mid-March and once in late April, along four transects that were covered by walking.
1983: Transects were reduced to two (present) covered by jeep and data collected only during the present single period in late April or early May.
No changes since 1983.