Fwd: Ruffed Grouse, 8-7-03

["Eric Huish" <poorwill_ at hotmail dot com>]

  Birdnet Email -- from the website

----Original Message Follows----
 It was submitted by Julie on Friday, August 08, 2003 at 07:57:13
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Subject: Ruffed Grouse, 8-7-03

Email_Address:

Message: Calleen Cox and I birded the Mirror Lake area Thursday and were 
surprised to see a Ruffed Grouse standing in the downhill lane of Mirror 
Lake road about 25 yards east/north of the Taylor's Fork campground sign.  I 
found a safe spot to park and pulled over as quickly as I could.  We got out 
of the car and looked at the bird and determined that it was indeed a Ruffed 
Grouse. Then we began to wonder if it were hurt; two vehicles passed us 
going toward Mirror Lake and the bird didn't flush but it did move a little. 
 We cautiously approached, and it permitted us to get within about 10-15 
feet.  Then we noticed movement along the verge and there were several more 
grouse.  It appears that we found a small family group of five birds.  Then, 
all of a sudden, one flushed, then another and finally there was a total of 
five, including the sentinel who was standing in the road.  Maybe he was the 
crossing guard.

We birded in the Washington Lake area looking for the Williamson's 
Sapsucker, but we only heard a chickadee and saw a junco and robin.  Pretty 
dead.  At Trial Lake area there were just common birds and few of those.  
The Highline Trail out of Mirror Lake was dead, too.  Only a few chickadees 
could be heard or seen.  Where did all the birds go?  Have they left the 
high country already?  Calleen, who lives in Heber, said the Mountain 
Bluebirds have left that area as of last week--poof, they were gone.

Well, if migration's underway, let's all get out there and see what's around 
and of course, post those beautiful sightings!

Good birding y'all,
Julie

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