Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse in Washington PDF Format - [269KB] See Also: Genetic Analysis of Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse: A Preliminary Study - Final Report Acknowledgements: This fieldwork and analysis was accomplished with the aid of countless biologists, naturalists, and landowners between 1954 and 1998; including J. Adkins, G. L. Brady, R. Friesz, S. Judd, M. Hallet, G. J. Hickman, T. Hood, J. Jacobson, S. Johnston, J. B. King, T. C. McCall, M. W. McDonald, C. Merker, J. Patterson, D. J. Peterson, M. Sharpe, L. E. Stream, D. Swedberg, T. Thompsen, L. Wadkins, B. Weddell, D. L. Zeigler, S. T. Zender, and F. C. Zwickel. We thank D. W. Stinson, M. J. Tirhi, B. Weddell, and D. L. Zeigler for producing earlier reports that provided a foundation for this work. We thank J. W. Connelly, S. Judd, D. J. Peterson, L. A. Robb, A. R. Sands, and R. J. Small for their thoughtful comments about this manuscript. Financial support for this research was provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W–96–R. Additional support was provided by the Colville Confederated Tribes and The Nature Conservancy. Sharp-tailed Grouse Distribution in Washington (Schroeder et al. 2000) Reprinted with Permission from Northwestern Naturalist (81: 95-103)

Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse in Washington Michael A. Schroeder, David W. Hays, Maureen A. Murphy & D. John Pierce ABSTRACT: Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) were historically found in shrub steppe, meadow steppe, steppe, and deciduous shrub communities throughout much of eastern Washington. The current range, consisting of 8 relatively small, isolated, populations, is less than 3% of historic range. Information collected since 1954 indicates 58% of 107 known lek complexes are currently vacant. Many of the vacant lek complexes (53%) are in areas where sharp-tailed grouse have been extirpated since 1954. Based on annual changes in number of birds counted on lek complexes, the number of sharp-tailed grouse in Washington declined by about 92% since 1954 to 858 birds in 1998. Historic and recent declines of sharp-tailed grouse appear linked to dramatic declines in quantity and quality of native habitat.