Drummer

[Ruffdude]

I'm a ruffed grouse fanatic and thanks to Covid last Spring found myself running the woods in search of grouse drumming logs.

 

[Chainsaw]

Great camera work Ruffdude. Looking at the log surface it looks like the grouse is standing on a clean section and not on a moss growing section of the log. Do the grouse wear the moss off where they drum or is that a coincidence? Am wondering what tipped you off to aim the camera at that exact spot on the log. Also how close can the camera be placed to where the bird is expected to drum? Is there any reactions to the camera by the grouse like there is by deer?

 

[H20fwler]

Very nice! Only have seen one ever drumming years ago while turkey hunting, have heard them drumming a few times. I love grouse hunting/watching, best bird on the table there is.

 

[Ruffdude]

Great camera work Ruffdude. Looking at the log surface it looks like the grouse is standing on a clean section and not on a moss growing section of the log. Do the grouse wear the moss off where they drum or is that a coincidence? Am wondering what tipped you off to aim the camera at that exact spot on the log. Also how close can the camera be placed to where the bird is expected to drum? Is there any reactions to the camera by the grouse like there is by deer?

Yes he likely wore the moss off. Usually the log or drumming site is much longer but this was a short large diameter log piece that he chose. What you see is about the entire length of his log.
When you find a drumming site all the leaf litter and other forest debris in front of the log will be "blown" away by his wing beats, something I learned by setting up a camera facing the birds backside!!! Lesson learned.
I have trained my eye to spot likely drumming sites. In the Spring I skulk along and when I hear a drummer I saunter his way, some times he will flush but usually he will just slip away unnoticed. Once I spy a likely log I investigate and look for poop. An active drumming log will be covered with droppings.
This camera was very close, maybe 6' in front of the log.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks for the detailed pictures and description detailing scouting for setting up for the camera shot. The first sound we hear here while awakening in the morning are ruffed grouse drumming. It will be a lot of fun to seek out their logs and get some cameras setup on them.

 

[Moundhill]

Very cool! Grouse are basically non existent in my area, but its cool to learn about them and hope for them to make a comeback someday.

 

[Apple Junkie]

Thanks for the heads-up on how to spot a l drumming log. I hear ‘em, in the spring, but never really knew what to look for, so I did not spend a whole lot of time even looking for the log he might be using. Ahhhh… another fun spring adventure! Thanks again Ruffdude.