Jayhawk Audubon Bird Watching Sites: Prairie Chickens
Site Name: Globe Prairie Chicken Lek
Habitat type & General Location: Native tallgrass prairie with some cultivated fields. Southwestern Douglas County.
Main Species:
Residence: Greater Prairie Chicken, Ring-necked Pheasant, Red-tailed Hawk, Horned Lark, Eastern and Western Meadowlark
Summer Visitors: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow
Winter Visitors: Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Lapland Longspur
Migrants: Short-eared Owl, Savannah and Vesper Sparrow
Site Description: Several large native prairies are in fairly close proximity to each other and together are able to support a small population of Greater Prairie Chickens. The land is all privately owned and access is only from the county gravel roads.
How to get there (directions): From the junction of U.S. 59 (Lawrence to Ottawa) and U.S. 56, travel west on U.S. 56. After 7 miles you will see signs for a blacktop road to Clinton and Lone Star Lakes. This is the former location of Globe. Continue west another 1.5 miles to E 400 road. You will see a large telephone tower ahead on the right. The intersection of U.S. 56 and E 400 road is the heart of the prairies where the prairie chicken live.
Recommended paths/routes: The best recommendation is to arrive early, at or shortly after sunrise between late March and late May. There are several areas that might be used for the booming grounds, but only one that is used consistently. This location is north on E 400 Rd 0.4 miles. At this point you will see a ridge that runs to the northwest (to your left). The prairie chickens usually boom on this ridge close to the half section line to the north. You should be able to hear them before seeing them. If the prairie has recently been burned the birds may be easier to see. Occasionally, Ring-necked Pheasant cocks will arrive and disrupt the booming. In past years they have also used the pasture to the east, but more for foraging than booming. With some luck you may also see birds flying into or out of the lek area. Unlike the pheasants, the chickens have short tails and fly with rapid wing beats punctuated by periods of gliding. The wings have a noticeable arch in flight.
Accomodations: Hotels, Campgrounds, Restaurants? None nearby. Lawrence (20 mi) or Baldwin (13 mi) are the closest. There is a gas station and snacks of U.S. 59/56 junction.
Date written: 23 Feb. 2002 Author: Roger L. Boyd
Map Below
Map showing location of Globe, Prairie Chicken Booming grounds, and telephone tower. Click to enlarge.