Ruffed Grouse.
This thawy, muddy morning at the hill, the most interesting of several bird species to make themselves known to dog and me was a Ruffed Grouse. I heard the bird drumming near the parking lot—same bird I’d heard booming there several weeks ago, I felt sure—so I investigated on our return. Sure enough, there he was.
Ruffed Grouse portrait.
Oddly, this bird seemed to take a real interest in both of us, striding out of its woody hiding place and into the parking lot proper, approaching, coming near. Jack and I were transfixed. Eventually, though, I got a little worried about the fellow so decided we’d better up and leave.
Nice to get some close-up photos of a grouse, though.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Crow*
2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
3. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
4. Ruffed Grouse
5. Northern Flicker
6. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
7. American Goldfinch (v)
8. Common Raven (v)
9. Tufted Titmouse (v)
Elsewhere
10. Herring Gull
11. Mourning Dove
12. Rock Pigeon
13. Mallard
14. House Sparrow (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, common raven, herring gull, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, rock pigeon, ruffed grouse, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch
