April 3, 2010
Read MoreDrumming Ruffed Grouse
Another sure sign of spring on the North Shore is the drumming of the male ruffed grouse. He works to attract any females that might be in the area. This particular grouse has been coming back to the same log for several years. When I first noticed him four years ago I was surprised that his drumming was so quiet. Normally when the wind rushes into the vacuum made by the rapid wing beats there is a loud drumming sound. This guy barely makes any noise at all.
At first I thought he had broken some of his primary wing feathers so that the vacuum could not be created. The low muffled sound has continued for all four years.