We recently joined the Wainwright Wildlife Society on their annual Sharp-tailed Grouse Watch. We woke up each morning at 2:45 AM to meet the rest of the group, drive to a lek location and be in the hides long before sun up as not to stress or disturb the birds. We were back at our hotel before 8:30 AM.
A lek is a traditional, open mating ground where male grouse gather in early spring to perform intense courtship displays, dances, and vocalizations to attract females.
Every so often the males do lunge at and attack each other during these courtship displays. One may launch itself into the air and then come down on its opponent.
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