A few years ago, the topic of declining grouse populations was bandied about here. I know a study by Pennsylvania's DNR was cited as ongoing, as was perhaps another funded by the Ruffed Grouse Society(?). Were there any conclusions from those studies? Anything published?
If I remember correctly, corvis species (specifically crows) had been found to be highly susceptible to bird flu and, accordingly, that connection to grouse was being studied in-depth. Lots of ideas were mentioned at that time, including the predation by wild turkeys and skunks of the chicks, and even increasing coyote populations (when I was much younger, feral cats would often get blamed). I have also heard (more-recently) discussions about certain types of pesticides being suspected in declining bird populations world-wide, specifically nicotine-base pesticides.
Considering the technical depth and breadth of the readership here, can anyone speak to this?
Last edited by Lloyd3; 02/22/20 09:48 PM.
