Sage grouse numbers increase

JEROME - Sage grouse populations in the Magic Valley are continuing to rise, according to the 2004 surveys conducted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. On 14 survey routes in the Magic Valley Region, biologists and volunteers observed 1,334 male sage grouse on breeding leks in 1987. Numbers of birds dropped off sharply on the same routes 1994, to 410. Over the past 10-years sage grouse numbers have continued to climb. This year observers counted 875 male grouse, a 113 percent increase from the low recorded in 1994. Numbers are still 34 percent lower than the number observed in 1987, but are continuing their upward trend. In 2003, Idaho Department of Fish and Game added three new survey routes. In 2004, the number of male sage grouse counted on 17 routes was 11 percent higher than in 2003. Numbers increased from 961 male sage grouse to 1,095. Since last year, grouse numbers increased on seven routes, decreased on five routes, and were unchanged on five routes. The largest increases from 2003 counts were on the Shoshone Basin Route, 168 birds in 2003, to 211 in 2004; Spring Creek Route bird numbers increase from 99 to 153; and Birch Creek Route went from 58 to 85. The largest decreases were on the Bliss-Hill City Route, 73 to 42, and the North Shoshone Route, 63 to 47. Biologists will continue monitoring sage grouse populations in the Magic Valley Region and several other parts of the state this spring to determine nesting success and habitat conditions.