Though this happened in Washington and not Oregon, I assume the behavior
likely also occurs here and thought others might find this of interest. I
had camped at Climber's Bivouac at 3750' elevation last night; this is at
the base of Mt Saint Helens. A SOOTY GROUSE was calling intermittently in
the late afternoon, but then much more frequently as dusk approached. What
amazed me was it kept calling until 9:29PM though sunset was more than 35
minutes earlier. And then this morning it started calling at 4:20AM, more
than a full hour before sunrise.
I had not previously camped in Sooty Grouse habitat this time of year and
instead had only heard them at more "regular" hours mid-day. I found it
fascinating that this bird was so persistent and advertised during such
extended hours.
Also a treat were all the Hermit Thrushes and Varied Thrushes that were
quiet late afternoon, but were all singing towards dusk, and the 2 Gray
Jays that found our breakfast this morning so tempting.
Andy Frank
