Dennis and Tweeters,

As most of you know, Sooty Grouse (and Dusky Grouse) are very
difficult to find in the winter. Few are ever seen on Christmas Bird Counts.
Both species perform reverse altitudinal migrations, moving up
into the mountains in the fall and spending most of the winter
deep inside the canopy of coniferous trees, eating the needles
(something that very few other birds can successfully use as a
food source).

I don't believe that I've ever seen a Sooty Grouse (or for that matter,
a Dusky Grouse) between October and March (when the males begin
hooting regularly). It may be possible to find them in the winter, but
it's tough. Among other problems, most of the areas they inhabit
are covered with deep snow, and few access roads are open in the mountains.

Dennis, it may be best to tell your correspondent that his chance of
finding a Sooty Grouse in mid-winter is slight, and that he would be
better to come back in late spring or summer. I get lots of requests
from visiting birders on how to find a species that is nearly impossible
at the locality or time of year they are coming-- and this may be one
of them. For my money, he might as well look for a Snowy Owl in July.


Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net



----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Paulson" <dennispaulson at comcast.net>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 4:06 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Sooty Grouse


Hello, tweets.

A birder from New York has written and asked me if I know where he
can find Sooty Grouse at this time of year. I don't. I suggested the
road to Hurricane Ridge as the most likely place, but I have no idea
if you can see them along there in the winter.

He has seen the eastern WA Dusky Grouse, he just wants/needs/desires/
lusts for the Sooty.

If anyone has any knowledge that I can pass on to him, please let me
know, and thanks!

Dennis
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net