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Prairie Chicken
Tympanuchus cupido
The 'Drummer of Love', otherwise known as the Greater Prairie Chicken resides in the nearby Buena Vista Grasslands.
Location:
Transportation: Experienced members drive other members out to the lek,
with their own car. Gas reimbursement available.
When: early April-early May, roughly 4:30am-9am; the mandatory prairie
chicken "sex-ed" class is in late March, which you must attend to go out
with the project. We must be out in the blinds before the sun rises.
Volunteer Duties: Helping experienced volunteers, usually with project
leaders, record the number of male and female prairie chickens visiting
the lek (and hopefully see their leg band numbers and colors), along
with the number of copulations seen, general weather conditions, and
other wildlife every half hour.
What to Bring: Warm clothes, blankets, camera, binoculars, and coffee if
you desire
What We Are Looking For: Counting the number of prairie chickens you see
on the lek, numbers of males, females, and hopefully copulations. Also
any other wildlife the may be present
Project Purpose: Helping the WI DNR with the population survey and estimation of copulation success and chick survival expectancy. This is a project unique to the Stevens Point TWS chapter, as it's one of the few places in the US where the public can see prairie chickens dance.