Scott, I forwarded your query to folks in Gunnison who are interested also in Gunnison Sage Grouse. Their responses are copied here:
Elinor, quite a few sage-grouse winter on/near Flattop. In fact, yesterday, John Scott just mentioned activity he had noted at the base of Flattop. Jim Hi Scott, I live on the west side of Flattop about 3.5 miles up County Road 730 (Ohio Creek Rd) and I was watching the elk out the back window and did see about 10 to 15 grouse fly in and land on the hill. These birds were down low just above the meadow in an area close to a lek. There was still some bare ground at the time and they seemed to be picking on the ground feeding on something. It is not unusual for them to be there, I think with less snow on Flattop this time of year, combined with more activity from the elk and the late hunting season going on there is much more opportunity to see grouse this time of year. My observations, John Hope this helps, Elinor Elinor Laurie Villa Grove -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Scott Shaum Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 2:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [cobirds] Gunnison Sage Grouse Flattop Mountain Over the weekend I came across two different groups of Gunnison Sage Grouse on the slopes of Flattop Mountain just north of Gunnison. I saw four above Almont and two others on the western side above Ohio Creek Rd. These are not rare birds in Gunnison, but I have not seen them reported from these locations before. They were both at between 9300 and 9500 feet in elevation. I saw many of what I suspected were their tracks in the snow in various locations. There is also a Northern Shrike working along Ohio Creek rd. I saw it at the four mile marker. Scott Shaum Monument -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
