Ruffed Grouse 001

With spring weather finally arriving, we are seeing a lot of wildlife along the North Shore. The ruffed grouse are actively looking for mates. I found three different logs where the male ruffed grouse performs his spring ritual called drumming. The male grouse stays in one place on the log and flaps his wings faster and faster. An implosion of air causes a drumming sound. The male drums to chase away other males and to attract the female grouse.

Ruffed Grouse 002

A gray phase ruffed grouse has chosen a log in the Gooseberry Falls State Park campground. He has been drumming for a week. He has lost about four of his primary wing feathers in an accident so he probably cannot fly. When he drums, the air escapes through the area of the missing feathers. As a result his drumming doesn’t make much of a sound. I don’t think he will be able to attract many females so he will probably be drumming for quite some time. Many park visitors are enjoying seeing the grouse drum.