We enjoyed this grouse lek trip throughout Colorado and into Kansas. It is a marathon with a different motel every night. You have to travel to where the Leks are. Birds will go where they want but Ryan, our guide, did a great job locating many interesting birds. The lek mornings are early (5 am) and cold (bring your warm layers, ski jacket, mittens, etc). You are sitting hidden (blinds) and quiet to not disturb the grouse. A truly wonderful experience as you just hear the birds until the sun rises and reveals the males doing their wild dance. We visited 4 Leks and each bird species had a different way of attracting the female's attention. We also enjoyed all the habitats of Colorado and a little bit of Kansas. The antelope, moose, and big horned sheep were definitely roaming on the range too

It is with great enthusiasm that I write this review of the Grouse Lek Trek (April 21 – 29, 2026)! This tour was run by: Ryan Dibala (Birding Man Wildlife Tours), assisted by David Rupp (Indigo Birding Tours). It was definitely one of my most enjoyable and memorable birding experiences! The tour was primarily aimed at observing six grouse species, four of which were lekking. And the tour delivered! We got great looks at all of those targets, as well as a very robust bird list of 169 species including great looks of three owl species, multiple waterfowl species in their spectacular breeding plumage, Western and Clark’s Grebes displaying courtship behavior, and regional specialties including Mountain and Snowy Plovers, Pinyon and Steller’s Jays, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Dipper, Brown-capped Rosy Finches, Evening and Pine Grossbeaks, and an impressive variety of sparrows! We were able to experience four grouse leks! It was amazing to see and hear these magnificent birds execute their courtship displays. Words are inadequate to describe it. Each lek was different and moving in its’ own way. For me, the experience of being in a blind among the Sharp-tailed Grouse lekking was truly one of the best experiential birding experiences of my life! The calls, the drumming, the dancing – WOW! The pre-trip communication was excellent with a day-by-day list of locations along with target birds, a thorough packing list, and a recommended reading (and podcast) list – all of which were very helpful. The itinerary was carefully crafted and reflected a huge amount of thought and attention to detail. This tour was very organized, and I know that all participants felt very supported and were grateful for the planning and expertise that went into this tour. I was dreading spending each night in a different hotel, but it didn’t turn out to be such a big deal after all as it really was worth it to have such wonderful experiences. Both guides are highly skilled with birds as well as people, which is a rare combination in one, let alone two, guides! Ryan knew exactly where to find the target birds as we visited an impressive array of habitats. And although David does not live in Colorado, his Colorado birding skills were impressive. Both Ryan and David were also excellent spotters! Ryan and David both have superb people skills. They were sensitive to and accommodated individual needs without impacting the group as a whole. The eBird lists were quickly sent out and the eBird trip report was available shortly after the trip ended. I highly, highly, highly recommend this tour! And I recommend pretty much any tour conducted by Ryan Dibala and/or David Rupp! Wendy W.

Ryan knows his stuff about Colorado and Colorado birds. The trip was very educational and exciting. Ryan was a wonderful, thoughtful and fun-loving host. I would recommend Birding Man Adventures for anyone who wants to see the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Colorado.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience with incredible birds, mammals and flora set in the most scenic locations. Comfortable and sometimes unique lodging and dining make this trip a winner. Ryan goes the extra mile to not only see birds but also to ensure safety and comfort of participants. His enthusiasm is infectious. Highly recommend this tour.

The Mountain Chicken Chase was a lot of fun and a great success - 5/5 grouse targets achieved! Ryan is a most excellent guide.