======================
8/1/06

Hi Paul & Tweeters;

On the map, the Hardy Burn site is part of the main recognized range for Spruce Grouse ("Birds of Washington", 2005). What I was looking for was recognition that there are really Spruce Grouse in the Cascades National Park and neighboring area(s) to the immediate west of there (where I saw my lone bird).

As far as different forms go, I noticed by photos published now and then, of the Yakima, etc. region birds, that they seemed to lack brown coloring (although they are handsome birds!). Maybe that population could be approaching subspecies status? But it seems logical (to me) that any whatcom County Spruce Grouse west of Ross Lake would be closely related to those found in Manning Park and around the Hart's Pass area.

And hey! The local Spruce Grrouse should be studied because they undoubtedly form part of our local N. Goshawks' diet, if for no other reason.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Paul Hicks" <phicks at accessgrace.org>
> Phil & Tweets,
> I'm not sure what this conversation's about, so maybe this does not
> contribute. In July 1997 I encountered 3 Spruce Grouse in the Hardy Burn
> west of Rainy Pass. The first two were at the bottom of the clearing--not
> far from the hiway. A male was calling from much higher, near the bluffs. I
> do not know which subspecies. I'm guessing this is a known location.
> --Paul Hicks
> Tenino, s. Thurston Co
> phicks AT accessgrace.org
> =====================
> 7/31/06
>
> Hi Fred and Tweeters,
>
> I sure wish some real experts on Spruce Grouse would chime in.
>
> I thought maybe the humid forest corridor along Ross Lake might have
> isolated
> the population of Spruce Grouse in the National Park near the border, from
> the
> main population to the east (Hart's Pass area & Manning Provincial Park).
> But
> from what you described, maybe there is a continuous range, going around the
> top of Ross Lake in Canada.
>
> I even got a poor quality photo of the Manning chicks, taken with a 110
> pocket
> camera (1987). But I don't know where I stashed it or the naegative. The
> situation was thus: I was riding in the back of someone else's car (on a
> field
> trip), when the camper truck ahead of us stopped for no apparent reason.
> Then
> we saw a mother grouse and a line of chicks crossing in front of the truck
> ahead of us. Thhen we all got out and went closer to see the grouse, which
> we
> were pretty sure were Spruce Grouse. The last chick froze in the middle of
> the
> road, and finally the driver got out and picked the plump little chick up
> and
> carried it over the the side, where the last of the Grouse family could
> still
> be seen. They disappeared into loose undergrowth in what I guess was
> Lodgepole
> Pine woodland (near the RV campground).
>
> Phil Hotlen
>