[obol] Re: Request for help with grouse ID
- From: Kevin Spencer <rriparia@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Oregon Birders Online <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 23:39:28 -0400 (EDT)
Hi,
As far as I know, the "Blue Grouse" on Winter Rim would be Sooty Grouse.
I've encountered them many times there, and in the forest to the west. I
have also encountered Sooty Grouse in the North Warners (really just The
Warners, but I mean the Oregon portion of the Warner Mountains).
As for the maps ..... I'd say grouse maps for both Ruffed and Sooty are
lacking in that part of the state for both Ruffed and Sooty, and maybe
the whole state (I can only comment about Klamath and Lake Cos.) and
that goes for both National Geographic and Sibley's. Maybe the maps for
those grouse didn't receive much attention, due to lack of reports,
observations... I don't know. What may have happened is that Breeding
Bird Surveys were used, or partly used, as a way to base or outline the
margins of presence. With a lack of reporting on BBS for grouse in
general it could influence a loss of area where they normally occur. I
know hunters could be a good source for knowledge of occurance as they
generally are not going to be hunting where there is not any chance of
bagging game. Maybe they should be consulted.
The map for Sooty Grouse, in Sibley's Guide, shows a departure towards
the west at the CA/OR state line. A more accurate line might be to
continue northward with a small peak to include the north end of the
Warner Mountains. The map for Oregon could widen its main eastern
north-south line, somewhat, to include Winter Rim. North of Winter Rim
the habitat really shrinks westward, so including Winter Rim would be a
slight adjustment. The National Geographic map appears very similar to
the Sibley Guide's Sooty Grouse map. So, that map should consider the
same adjustments.
The Ruffed Grouse map in Sibley's Guide appears to make that species
look like it is restricted to the coast range in Oregon. I am not
familiar enough with Ruffed Grouse statewide to comment for the whole
state, but for Klamath County it is a somewhat common species,
especially in the deciduous areas around Upper Klamath Lake. That is a
unique area admittedly, but it is significant enough that it should have
been included in the range map for that species. I have heard of a few
Ruffed Grouse being reported in Lake County, scattered, but none for the
Warner Mountains. I have not heard of Ruffed Grouse being reported
between Upper Klamath Lake and say Gearhart Wilderness (just a place
that's east of Klamath Falls that people are familiar with). The reports
I've heard were from approx. Gearhart eastward to the westside of Goose
Lake Valley. I dont know if those few reports should cause inclusion of
that area on a fieldguide range map. But definitely the perimeter of the
Upper Klamath Lake area and outward along its tributaries should be
included.
The National Geographic map for Ruffed Grouse appears to be accurate for
the most part, at the map shows eastward extension into Klamath County.
Not including any of Lake County if find, and then encountering one, say
in Lake County, being at the edge, or an outlier, would then be
significant, and definitely worth reporting, or talking about,
especially by a hunter (which is one my sources for Ruffed Grouse in
Lake County... about 35 years ago... but I have not encounter Ruffed
Grouse in Lake County myself).
I'd say the grouse is a Sooty Grouse, and that both Sibley's and
National Geographic's field guides should make some slight adjustments
to their Sooty Grouse maps. (and Sibley's map for Ruffed Grouse too).
Good for you, pointing that out.
Kevin Spencer
rriparia@xxxxxxxxxxx
Klamath Falls, OR
I ' on a field trip to the Summer Lake area this weekend (Sat-Tue). On
Sunday, we drove up Winter Ridge to Pioneer Peak, then south along the
ridge road (NR26?) to the switchbacks. While on top of the ridge, we
came upon a hen or juvenile grouse sitting in the middle of the road,
Click on the link below for a series of low resolution photos.
https://plus.google.com/photos/107892236367702076331/albums/6039284676539261153?authkey=CMDqo_P87szkxAE
<https://plus.google.com/photos/107892236367702076331/albums/6039284676539261153?authkey=CMDqo_P87szkxAE>
The grouse appeared to be either a sooty or dusky grouse. We are fairly
certain that it wasn't a greater sage-grouse because of our grouse's
tail, which was blunt. Sage-grouse have a long, pointed tail, and they
probably wouldn't be found in that habitat.
Sibley 2nd edition field guide range maps don't show either of these
"blue" grouse in the Winter Ridge area. It appears that the sooty
grouse doesn't normally come as far east as Winter Ridge, and the dusky
grouse is only found in the Enterprise/Joseph area in Oregon.
Can anyone tell us if either (or both) of the sooty or dusky grouse can
be found on Winter Ridge? Also, can anyone venture an opinion on the
identity of the grouse in the photos?
Thanks,
Tim Johnson
Salem, OR
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