It Won’t Be Long Now – Really

As we walk through the still snow-covered and frost-permeated north woods, it somehow seems hard to believe that we’ll soon be hearing the sounds of a changing season.  Chief among these sounds is the one produced by the“King of the Game Birds” who, unlike so many of his feathered cousins, endured this long and difficult winter here in the upper Great Lakes with the rest of us.  Although we’ve previously shared this incredible video of drumming ruffed grouse captured by Lang Elliot and Bob McGuire for The Music of Nature website, it is too amazing for only one showing. 

Also, for those of you keeping an eye on woodcock movement, the Ruffed Grouse Society migration map is not only a great way to monitor reports, but also to weigh in with those of your own.

Photo courtesy of MDNR