[CT Birds] Ruffed Grouse Question

[jtriana1 at sbcglobal.net]

Grouse have been basically eradicated from the New Haven area.  Just looking
at CBC results, the New Haven circle had 20-30 of them to start the 1980's.
They trailed off to just a few found each year for the next decade.  The
last one was seen in 1998 and the last year with multiple grouse seen was
1993.  

For myself, the last time I saw one in New Haven county was 1999 when one
was in our backyard.  Before that I had seen them in Madison, Killingworth,
and Orange.

The cause can be debated....increased predation from coyotes, lack of
understory cover due to high deer densities, increased development and lack
of habitat.  I've heard all these from other people.  As for the one in our
backyard, I can say that when I spooked it, it flew off into a patch of
woods that is occupied by 2 houses.

Thanks,
JT


John Triana
Prospect



-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces at lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces at lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Gene Leganza
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:37 AM
To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: [CT Birds] Ruffed Grouse Question

Bob from Pomfret asked: "Ruffed grouse question:  Any thoughts on numbers,
distribution in CT for this species?"

CT DEP puts out a bimonthly publication, "Connecticut Wildlife," available
by print subscription or via the web. The Jan/Feb 2008 version is not up on
their web site yet, but I get the print version and this issues summarizes
their 2007 research. In the section on "small game" it reports:

"During 2007, baseline ruffed grouse population data were collected from
grouse observations and drumming surveys. A total of 18 observations were
reported from 9 towns, bringing the total to 134 sightings since 2005.
Drumming surveys were conducted in April. Grouse were heard drumming on 10
of 12 routes and 35 drummers were recorded. The actual number of unique
males heard drumming was between 23 to 35 birds. The survey route that
produced the highest number of birds (5) was in East Hampton."

The online version of Connecticut Wildlife can be found at:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325718&depNav_GID=1655#CTW

and one can subscribe to the print version at:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325712&depNav_GID=1655

--
Gene Leganza, Wilton
gleganza 'at' gmail.com
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