Grouse are usually good about dodging hazards as they burst out of
cover, however, I found this on the Maine Ruffed Grouse Society website:
"In early fall, birds of the year may exhibit a strange period of
restlessness known as the “fall shuffle” or “crazy flight.” During this
time, some young grouse take off in apparently undirected flight and a
few are killed when they crash into trees, fences, windows or the sides
of building. The fall shuffle may serve to scatter broods and expand or
disperse the population."
I've had a few turned in at the environmental center where I worded
(Five Rivers in Delmar), having hit windows during the fall flight time.
It's always sad to loose one to injury with a population that seems
really down, at least in this part of the state.
Alan Mapes
Delmar (grew up in Cayuga County)
John and Sue Gregoire wrote:
While we were out tracking skunks yesterday (and there was plenty of track as
they
wake for the breeding season) we flushed a Ruffed Grouse. As usual it beat out
of
cover but then slammed into tree branches much like a flushed turkey.
It was a few minutes later when we heard wing flutter and closed on the grounded
grouse which appeared to have a damaged wing. We recovered the bird and
delivered it
to a Schuyler rehabber.
We've spent a lot of time birding and generally off the beaten path over the
years
but this is the first such incident we've ever seen or heard of. Thought we'd
pass
it along. Have any of you seen/heard of such an avian accident?
--
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Road
Burdett,NY 14818-9626
Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
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