Grouse populations reach all-time high!

According to the latest population survey conducted by the North American Grouse Partnership (NAGP), grouse populations have reached an all-time high!

The five-year survey, which covered a range of habitats across 13 states and two Canadian provinces, found that overall grouse numbers were up an impressive 25%. This is great news for hunters and conservationists alike, as healthy grouse populations are indicative of a healthy environment.

The upland birds' populations have benefitted from targeted conservation efforts over the past few years, including investments in habitat restoration and land management. In addition, mild winters have helped to boost grouse numbers.

Grouse are an important part of the ecosystem, and their success reflects the health of our natural areas. We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy these fantastic birds this fall!

grouse populations face uncertain future

Grouse populations around the world are in decline, and biologists aren't sure why. Many different factors could be contributing to the decline, including hunting pressure, changes in habitat, disease, or predation.

In the United States, grouse populations are found in states across the country. The most common grouse species in the US are ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse. Over the past few decades, both of these species have seen large declines in population size.

Ruffed grouse populations have declined by more than 60% since 1970. Sharp-tailed grouse populations have declined by more than 80% over the same period. These declines are particularly alarming given that both of these species were once considered common across their ranges.

There is no one answer to explain why these declines are occurring. Some possible explanations include:

-Habitat loss or degradation due to land development or climate change -Diseases such as avian malaria or West Nile virus -Predation by increasing numbers of coyotes and other predators -Excessive hunting pressure

If we want to help ensure the future of grouse populations, we need to better understand what is causing their decline. We also need to develop management strategies that will help protect these birds against future threats.

Mysterious virus threatens grouse populations

A new virus is threatening grouse populations across the United States and Canada. The cause of the virus is unknown, and scientists are working to find a cure. The virus causes birds to become very weak and often die within days of contracting it.

Grouse are an important part of the ecosystem, and their decline could have a ripple effect on other animals that rely on them. The loss of grouse could also have a significant economic impact on the hunting and tourism industries.

So far, there is no known cure for the virus, and scientists are still trying to determine its cause. Efforts are being made to vaccinate grouse in affected areas, but the virus is spreading rapidly and it may be too late to save some populations.

Hunting grouse could become more difficult

As the climate changes, hunting grouse could become more difficult. Warmer winters and wetter springs could mean that the grouse are spread out more, making it harder to find them.

Hunters in Michigan are already noticing this trend. Grouse populations have been declining in the Upper Peninsula, and hunters are struggling to find them. The grouse are being forced to move to higher elevations, where it is colder and there is less food.

The increased competition for food could lead to smaller grouse populations. This would be bad news for hunters, who rely on these birds for sport.

It is clear that the climate is changing, and it is affecting the way that animals behave. Hunting grouse may become more difficult in the future, as the animals relocate to cooler climates or disappear altogether.

Grouse populations show resiliency in face of adversity

British Columbia's grouse populations have shown resilience in the face of numerous adversities, new research has found.

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, used data from 1993 to 2017 to assess the population trends of six species of grouse in the province. The findings show that while some species have declined over the period, others have increased or remained stable.

Lead author Kristiina Ovaska, a PhD candidate at University of British Columbia (UBC), said the study shows that conservation efforts are needed for all six species.

"Grouse are an important part of our ecosystems and their populations show remarkable resiliency in the face of multiple stressors," Ovaska said in a statement. "However, this doesn't mean we can be complacent – each grouse population needs continued conservation efforts to ensure their long-term viability."

The study found that three species – spruce grouse, dusky grouse, and ruffed grouse – had declines in abundance between 1993 and 2017. The sharpest decline was seen in spruce grouse, with numbers dropping by more than 80%. In contrast, blue grouse and Franklin's grouse showed increases in abundance over the same period. The white-tailed ptarmigan remained stable.

The research team analyzed a variety of factors that could be affecting grouse populations, including climate change, wildfire severity, forestry practices, and predation. They found that while all of these factors have played a role in shaping population trends, their relative importance differed among species.

Climate change was identified as one of the biggest threats to grouse populations, particularly for those living at higher elevations where temperatures are warming faster than lower elevations. Fire severity also posed a threat to some species – for example, blue grouse which are sensitive to burns – while forestry practices had varying impacts depending on the type of habitat being affected. Predators such as coyotes and mountain lions were also identified as threats to some grouse populations.

Ovaska emphasized that managing all these stressors is critical for protecting BC's grouse populations into the future.

"Managing climate change is essential for maintaining healthy populations of all six ground bird species into the future but it will require coordinated actions across different jurisdictions and sectors," she said. "Similarly managing fire severity and forestry practices will require collaboration between government agencies and industry."