We started our viewings of the Prairie Chickens and Sharptail Grouse in 2001.  We have had many satisfied customers.  Among them are:

Prairie grouse courtship rituals, beginning as early as February, are in full swing by April. Before dawn the males gather on the grounds, called leks, to perform, claiming territory, intimidating rivals, and attracting hens. Prairie chicken display includes short runs, rapid foot stomping, leaps into the air, inflation of the orange neck sacs, erection of neck feathers, and the deep, resonant booming for which grounds are named. Sharptails also are frenetic performers. Their whirling dance gives grounds their names. They do stamp, run, and pose, often rapidly buzzing their erect tail feathers. Both species occasionally fight, sometimes leaping into the air to strike with feet, but seldom causing any real injury.

Males begin arriving on the grounds about 45 minutes to one hour before sunrise, and at the height of breeding season may display for as long as two or three hours, barring disturbances and depending on the weather. A second peak in activity occurs in late afternoon and early evening although this peak may be somewhat less intense that the morning activity.

Sandhills Motel has obtained permission from landowners to share viewing of Prairie Grouse leks with customers. To prevent disturbing the lek and to provide comfort and optimum viewing to customers we will use a bus for our viewing blind. The seats under the windows facing the lek will be removed to allow for camera tripods. Other modifications will also be made to make it more suitable.

Sandhills Motel will provide your room the night previous to viewing. We will also provide transportation to and from the blind for a 2 to 4 hour viewing and someone will be with you to answer questions while in the blind.

A maximum of 16 people will be allowed in the blind at one time. Groups with children under the age of 16 needs to make arrangements for alternate dates. Larger groups can be accommodated by early reservation.

Blinds are placed fifty feet from good bird activity. When placing blinds we consider the angle of the sun on the blind and lek for optimum photo and viewing opportunities.

We offer group rates and private viewing rates. Reservations are recommended, but we will take short notice bookings by availability.

Normally 12 – 20 birds make up a lek. Feel free to call for a bird number and activity update

Photos by Dr. Parvis Pour

Sandhills Motel
P.O. Box 368
Mullen, NE 69152
888-278-6167

308-546-2206
[email protected]