Ringgold

9th Annual Prairie Chicken Day

Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Greater Prairie Chickens gather on the leks to establish dominance and display for the females. The peak booming season is from late March through Mid-April.

The males display by raising their pinnae feathers, spreading their fan-like tails, dropping their wings, stomping their feet, and inflating the air sacks on their necks.  While doing this display the males also create a booming sound that can be heard from up to a mile away.   Males will display on leks where their visibility to females is maximized as well as their security from predators.  It is essential for their survival to be able to see approaching predators, while displaying for potential mates.

The viewing stand is located two miles west of Kellerton on Hwy 2 and one mile south on 300th Ave. A commercial spotting scope and a limited number of binoculars will be available for your use, but it is reccommended that you bring your own binoculars or spotting scope if possible as the birds will be about 200 yards away.

Local Iowa DNR and County Conservation personnel will be on hand to answer your questions. Coffee, juice and donuts will be available at the viewing stand.

For more information please contact:

Iowa DNR Grand River Wildlife Unit - Josh Rusk 641-464-2389
Ringgold County Conservation Director - Kate Zimmerman 641-464-2787

* Ringgold County Conservation will also give private tours to groups of 10+ people.

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