Greater-prairie chicken in peak mating season in southeast Nebraska
PAWNEE COUNTY - When thinking of some of the wildlife spectacles during spring in the Cornhusker state, it’s easy to think of the Sandhill Crane migration, Wild Turkey hunting, or the impressive Snow Geese migration. Another, is the mating dance of the Greater Prairie-Chicken.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is giving Nebraskans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the birds at Burchard Lake WMA in Pawnee County.
“This is a pretty unique opportunity in the eastern part of Nebraska,” Kyle Smith, Southeast District Manager, NGPC, said. “This is the only prairie chicken lek on public ground, we have two blinds, one on the north side, one on the south side, of this prairie chicken lek.”
Just before sunrise, the birds descend on their lek’s, which are the grounds in which males display for females in search of a mate. The unmistakable sound fills the cool spring air throughout the morning. Due to some habitat change and loss, chicken numbers have changed over the years, but with the help of Game and Parks, they still can be found Largely, because Nebraska’s habitat is ideal.
“You know, historically, there were birds all over this area,” Smith said. “With loss of habitat, we’ve lost some grassland habitat, so we’ve lost some of those bids. But this area, we still have some pretty good habitat, lots of grass in the landscape, so we’re hanging on to some birds.”
Smith encourages Nebraskans to take advantage of the opportunity and the public land to see the birds up close and personal.
“It’s just a unique opportunity, it’s a native species, this is a WMA that’s open to the public,” Smith said. “ “It’s a great opportunity for people to come and watch these prairie chickens in their native habitat.”