Lesser Prairie-Chicken

This small grouse species puts on an impressive lekking display! We will go on a tour to a private ranch to see this rare and threatened bird strut its stuff!

A spring jaunt from the Rocky Mountains to the expansive short-grass prairies of Kansas, our driving route will take us on a grand loop starting and ending in Denver that is designed to give us access to an impressive array of lekking grouse species. Prepare for magic as we gear up to witness the awe-inspiring and fascinating displays of Gunnison and Greater Sage-Grouse plus Greater and Lesser Prairies-Chickens. Along with the chance for White-tailed Ptarmigan, and Dusky and Sharp-tailed Grouse, our iconic grouse selection feels limitless!

The continent’s central grasslands are a precious landscape that are under threat and we will learn about them through some of their most emblematic species from Northern Bobwhite and Scaled Quail to Thick-billed and Chestnut-Collared Longspurs. The Rocky Mountains offer even more potential for elusive interior species including all three species of Rosy-Finches and American Three-toed Woodpeckers. The transition zone is no less exciting with plains featuring Mountain Plover and Ferruginous Hawk, and forests with Pinyon Jay and Sage Thrashers.

Dates: April 5th – 14th, 2027 (9 nights/10 days)

Cost: $5,880 standard price. $760 per-person discount for doubles. $500 deposit due upon registration.

What’s included:

▪ Nine nights of lodging during the trip.

▪ Transportation in a 12-passenger van.

▪ Breakfasts, lunches (many in the field), and dinners.

▪ Expert and knowledgeable naturalist guides, Chip and Sam Darmstadt.

▪ Any entrance fees and park admissions, including guided tours of Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chicken Leks.

What’s not included:

What’s not included:

▪ Airfare to/from Denver.

▪ Meals in airports and any alcoholic beverages.

▪ Tips/gratuities.

▪ Extras in hotels (e.g., room service, laundry, etc.).

Accommodations and physical requirements:

▪ All of the lodging is in standard hotels (mostly chains). The smaller towns in rural areas have more simple accommodations.

▪ Be prepared for birding at higher elevations up to 12,000 ft.

▪ While no strenuous hiking is expected, we will spend plenty of time walking on park trails. Total walking for some days may total 3-5 miles.

▪ Fitting all the lekking grouse species into one itinerary lends itself to a fast pace with early mornings, long drives, and one-night stays.