Sage grouse talk coming to Sisters

Angela Sitz loves her work. For about four years now, she's been collecting data from state and federal agencies, college wildlife students' research, and private land-owners - particularly ranchers - on what they are seeing in the world of the sage grouse.

Everything she and other U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFW) biologists can learn about the species will, when combined with data from all over the West, determine whether or not sage grouse are placed on the Endangered Species List (ESL).

On Tuesday, November 18, beginning 7 p.m. at The Belfry in Sisters, Sitz will present a detailed talk on the status of the sage grouse throughout its range.

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the largest grouse in North America. Its range is limited to sagebrush habitat in the western U.S., southern Alberta, and Saskatchewan, Canada.

They are not residents of Sisters Country, but found east and south of Bend where sagebrush is abundant - or, as current research demonstrates, was once abundant. Habitat loss is the principal factor for the USFW considering the sage grouse as a species to be placed on the ESL.

Adult sage grouse have a long, pointed tail and legs with feathers to the toes. Adult males are chicken-sized, striking birds with a yellow patch above the eye, grayish on top with a white breast, a dark brown throat and a black belly. When "strutting" during courtship display, they inflate two yellowish sacs on their breast and neck, which when deflated bounce, and the escaping air makes a noticeable belching sound.

Adult females aren't much for looks, just a drab, mottled gray-brown bird, smaller than the males, with a light brown throat and dark belly - but the welfare of the species is on their shoulders.

Sitz will provide information on the grouse's biology, threats to its welfare, varied scientific investigations, and the bird's status within the USFW management guidelines.

On a recent OPB "Oregon Field Guide" program, the sage grouse was featured with a statement from a rancher who had qualified for a conservation easement on his land.

"The sage grouse is the spotted owl of livestock ranchers," he said, because of the conflict with some grazing practices, habitat loss and the bird's needs.

Sage grouse need large, healthy stands of sage brush habitat, and lots of it.

Although this bird is being considered for endangered species status, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife had a season on hunting sage grouse this year that began on September 6 and ended on September 14. Hunters needed a sage grouse permit, and were allowed to have two birds in their possession. Some 845 permits were issued, but not all of the sage grouse hunting units were open.

Several state wildlife biologists and hunters associations in the West advocate hunting sage grouse as a method of obtaining data on reproduction. This time of year, the wings of the females show specific signs of whether or not she hatched out and raised chicks. However, less than two thirds of Oregon hunters submit wings for testing.

Sitz will explain how data is obtained and analyzed, plus other facets of sage grouse ecology at her Sisters Science Club presentation at The Belfry. Doors open at 6 p.m. for food and drink; the program begins at 7 p.m.