After being skunked for the first 12 days of March, it was lucky 13 today. While the crew went to Chugwater, I headed down to Monument in the Rhino, bracing myself for yet another view of an birdless lek. I had been fooled once before when the snow melted to reveal a lek full of vaguely grouse-like lumps that turned out to be last-year’s cowpies. But today, the lumps were moving and occasionally flashing white! Three males by the time I crested the distant overlook, with another two joining shortly. A small flock of males flew and landed somwhere nearby, but were apparently too timid to join in the first dance of the year.

The rest of the day was spent setting out the grid on Chugwater. This involved a lot checking for stake alignment to keep the lines true



then pounding in the stakes.