Ruffed Grouse in Minnesota
The general goal of the Minnesota ruffed grouse project is to improve our ability to accurately assess grouse habitat use by incorporating both climate and habitat factors into models of stand occupancy. We are using data previously collected by Gordy Gullion to develop predictive models of drumming log occupancy based on weather, habitat, and their interactions. We will evaluate the performance of these models with field data that we are currently collecting. In addition, we will attempt to improve the predictability of models using multi-scale habitat variables. Many state agencies rely heavily on drumming surveys to assess population trends and habitat use. The only problem with drumming techniques is that if a surveyor does not detect/hear a drummer in a forest stand, it is uncertain whether the surveyor simply did not hear the bird or the stand is actually not occupied. Thus, we will assess the performance of drumming surveys and provide guidelines for designing future surveys.
Personnel
Activities
2006
In spring 2006, Guthrie Zimmerman successfully defended his dissertation and graduated, and Lorelle Berkeley took over the grouse project. As expected, the grouse population began increasing this year after a few years of decline. The field crew found over 50 activity centers this season at Cloquet.
2007
Spring 2007 marked the 6th year of the long term grouse project, and the 2nd year of my field research. This was the first year monitoring male grouse on their drumming structures with video systems. We monitored a total of 6 males all season with VCR set-ups powered by marine deep cycle batteries. One of our biggest challenges was bear-proofing the systems! The Cloquet grouse population was up about 30%, similar to the increase observed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We found a total of 63 activity centers during the season.
2008
UPDATE!
We had a large grouse crew this year! In spring 2008, I continued my grouse surveys at Cloquet for a 3rd season and did some additional pilot surveys at nearby sites including the Sawyer Wildlife Management Area and parts of the Carlton County Memorial Forest. The surveys at Cloquet showed us that the grouse numbers are pretty similar to last year and did not increase very much, even though they are on the upswing of their population cycle. We found 65 activity centers versus the 63 activity centers we found in 2007. I monitored 9 male grouse at their drumming logs using remote video systems for a total of 15 males that have been monitored since 2007.
2009
The 2009 field season was the 4 th and final season collecting data for my dissertation research (though not the final year of the ruffed grouse project) on the effects of male behavior and female preference on habitat selection of male ruffed grouse. The ruffed grouse population at CFC nearly doubled this season, with 111 active males found during our surveys. We monitored 8 male grouse by video at their drumming logs this year, for a total of 23 males monitored since the inception of the project in 2007. Results will be forthcoming, as we are still viewing all of the video footage we have collected! However, we have had some fun findings so far this year, including video footage of a male ruffed grouse killed at his log by a northern goshawk, as well as footage of a male and female ruffed grouse mating.