Last summer I found three Ruffed Grouse in the Lakes Region alone. I even photographed a fledgling. This year I found none in any of those three places nor at Turkey Pond. It’s possible that the wet spring pared reproductive success reducing the chances of encountering a hen with chicks, the best way to see this species after drumming season ends. A check of my records showed a sighting at Franklin Falls Dam in Franklin a few years ago. I don’t remember the sighting but I do know there is good habitat in there.
Early this morning, I hiked the serpentine mountain bike trails that wind back and forth through the habitat favored by the Ruffed Grouse searcher. First down Moose Gully Trail, then Pine Snake Trail, up Middle Trail, around Stump, and back on Sniper Trail. By doing so, I slowly tightened the noose, gradually ceding little room for one to hide, closing off all exits, eliminating any possibility of escape. After a two hour hunt, the familiar whir of wings and then the collision of wing and branches as the bird rose. It could be just one thing, let all doubt vanish, the inescapable conclusion: Ruffed Grouse (447)!
I now only need three more species to reach 450 by the end of the month. Below the White Mountains and away from the seacoast there are really only three species left: saw-whet owl, goshawk, and Black-billed Cuckoo. The owl would be tough this time of year without tape playback and so far I haven’t even tried. The gos and cuckoo could be encountered any time any place but there is no specific location to search. Up in the mountains, I still need Canada Jay and Spruce Grouse. I plan to launch a search for the grouse probably next week and hope to find the jay incidentally. On the coast, a Big Year mother lode awaits me. I need some easy shorebirds like Short-billed Dowitcher, Sanderling, and Lesser Yellowlegs. Roseate Tern and any scoter are also missing and another whale watch is in the works for Cory’s Shearwater, where the open sea harbors the ever-present possibility of finding something totally unexpected.