Hayden Economic Development Council

The first hint of spring in Hayden is the sound of Canadian Geese and Sandhill Cranes returning to the valley.

While geese and cranes may be fair barometers of impending spring, the mating rituals of the native grouse are a sure sign that winter has gone for good. Three of Colorado's seven native grouse species inhabit the Yampa Valley. Sage and Sharp-Tailed grouse males show up each spring on historical display grounds called leks where they engage in elaborate breeding displays. Leks may contain as few as a half dozen mailes to as many as eighty. However by the time females arrive on leks from mid-April to early May only a few mailes will have established themselves as dominant breeding birds.

Blue Grouse are the loners of the local grouse and don't attend communal leks. Males of this species establish territories and engage in solitary displays in the hopes of attracting local females. The males of all three species have air sacs on their necks that are alternately inflated and deflated during their breeding displays. This results in the unique, characteristic calls of each species. That's where the similarites end. Sharp-Tails look like wild little wind up toys. They stop and start as if on cue while stomping their feet and shaking their tails. Sage Grouse are big and bold, grouse with an attitude. Their huge air sacs and spiked, fanned tail set them distinctly apart from their cousins. Blue Grouse aren't showy but still a thrill to see. With wings dropped and tail fanned, they move as if in slow motion. Occasionally, as if for no reason, the bird throws itself into the air in a somersault accentuated by its rapidly beating wings.

If you are interested in viewing Sharp-Tails and Sage Grouse on leks, contact either the Hayden Chamber of Commerce of the Walden Chamber of Commerce for information on upcoming trips.