An early morning field trip reveals the unique spring breeding rituals of the Greater Sage Grouse as the Draper Museum of Natural History continues its Natural History Explorer's Expedition series.

On Saturday, April 3 from 4:30 - 9:30 a.m. participants witness the sage grouse mating ritual in the secluded sagebrush habitat areas known as "booming leks" just as they have been practiced for thousands of years.

Founding Curator of the Draper Museum of Natural History Dr. Charles Preston and Interpretive Specialist & Environmental Education Coordinator Kristin Atman lead the expedition.

Dr. Preston says, "This is truly one of the most fascinating and spectacular phenomena in nature. For only a few weeks a year at dawn, as many as seventy sage grouse congregate in the areas near Cody for this annual breeding ritual."

A mandatory orientation session will precede the expedition at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31. Cost is $25 and $20 for Historical Center members. Space is limited. Registration is required.

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To register for the Sage Grouse Booming Lek Expedition, contact Sophie Broussard at 307-578-4114. To learn more on Buffalo Bill Historical Center membership, contact Kathy McLane at 307-578-4032.