Too early for some fool with a chainsaw, or a lawn mower. I dozed off again with the happy realization that the grouse had survived another winter. Their name comes from a ruff or collar of dark feathers which males fluff out to attract females.
Males drum each spring to attract a mate and proclaim a territory.
Climbing a fallen log, rock or a melting snowdrift, they stand upright with tail spread wide and, with a firm grip of the claws, pump the air with strong wings. Then, like an engine suddenly catching ignition, the wings beat full throttle. Air is compressed by nearly 50 wingbeats in eight seconds to produce a low frequency. One male may use as many as six locations for drumming, but one site is usually favoured. One grouse was observed drumming on a log completely surrounded by floodwaters.