06-03-16 Grouse Field Note

Allison M. Bernhisel shares her experience searching for and mapping out active grouse drumming logs.

MPGN Field Note Searching for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Sites 26 May 2016, Allison M. Bernhisel

Territorial male Ruffed Grouse drum in spring to attract mates. Males defend their drumming platform, typically a large fallen tree or rotting log. Sometimes they use stumps, roots, or even boulders.

Male Ruffed Grouse drum their wings by beating them against the air, not their chosen platform. This male is just beginning his drumming routine.

This spring we are mapping active drumming sites on MPG North and MPG Ranch to quantify the numbers of active grouse locations over time. We will use this information to help determine if we need more Ruffed Grouse habitat. We found this drumming log at MPG North on April 5th 2016.

To begin the study I looked for Ruffed Grouse habitat. Ruffed Grouse select for dense areas in mature pine and young aspen forests. Pines provide a protective roost. Adults use aspen as a food source. Complex structures, like these thick shrubs, branches, and vines, often surround the platform itself. Dense cover provides protection during the males’ vulnerable drumming routine.

Ruffed Grouse habitat tends to occur near forest creeks and streams like Cooney Creek.

In addition to the sound of drumming and knowledge of their preferred habitat, I look for other clues that direct me to active drum sites. Fresh grouse scat (red arrow) indicates that a grouse recently visited this log.

This Ruffed Grouse tail feather directed me to another nearby drumming log.

Remote cameras also provide habitat use information, such as where Ruffed Grouse are active now and where they were in years past.

While I wait for the sound of drumming, other forest life catches my eye. I watched this American Kestrel wind surf on a breezy day in April.

Silky lupine’s fuzzy sepals and vibrant flowers resemble the blue butterflies fluttering about.

This crab spider prepared to spar with my camera lens if it got any closer.

Some grouse mated this season, but life for Ruffed Grouse is not easy. I found these two eggs scattered just a few meters away from an active drum site. A small predator, like a skunk, may have stolen the eggs.

Male Ruffed Grouse begin drumming as early as March and continue until the end of June, but some drum year round. I will continue looking for grouse until the majority of males stop drumming. The search continues!

Posted on 6/3/2016 by Anonymous

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About MPG North

Established in 2005, the property boundary at MPG North encloses 200 undeveloped acres in Western Montana’s Swan Valley. Researchers and field staff manage the property to improve habitat quality for wildlife, discover new ways to restore damaged landscapes and study forest ecology. We also create opportunities to share what we've learned with local conservation organizations, students of all ages, management agencies and volunteers. Through these education and outreach efforts, we seek to inspire others to work together and protect undeveloped landscapes.

MPG North

Protecting Open Space for Future Generations

06-03-16 Grouse Field Note

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