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#623146 12/06/22 09:59 AM
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We saw something interesting yesterday in late morning. Anne was looking out the dining room window to the north and noted some odd tracks in the fresh snow below the windows. After looking for a bit we saw that about 20 partridge had buried themselves into the fresh snow. Holes here and there over maybe a 25 foot diameter. As I got to the window, something must have startled them as they all erupted from the snow holes and flew north maybe 50 yards. Then---they all dived into the snow, completely disappearing, not bothering to land first, but just like diving into water. Well, it gave us something fun to talk about during lunch. Daryl

Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 12/06/22 12:06 PM.
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Was the temperature outside below 32 degrees?

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Bob, maybe in the high 20s.

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Interesting as I was once walking along-side a small stream in a gully with about 12 inches of snow covering when a Heron flew down the gully and the snow erupted with Red Grouse which had been hiding below. The heron was no real threat to them but I guess that its gliding flight reminded them of some sort of large bird of prey. I would have had no idea the grouse were there and I suppose that I would have been able to walk past quite oblivious but for the heron. Lagopus.....

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While hunting grouse in Michigan one December winter, one flushed from under the snow in front of me. I felt my heart stop ! Changed my underwear afterwards back at the vehicle.
Karl

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Perhaps it was warmer buried in the snow than being exposed?

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Bob,
That's why they hunker down for sure. When you first encounter a flush like that for the first time, it's an eye opener!
Karl

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When I hunted ptarmigan and ruffed grouse in the interior of Alaska during the late winter months, snow flushes were a pretty common event. No dog needed, follow the tracks until they stopped (ptarmigan would usually be in a patch of willows, ruffies would normally be under a tree) start walking around like you’re trying to flush a bird out of the grass. Hopefully when they do flush, they don’t kick up so much snow as to obscure your view when trying to put the gun on them. Easier said than done.

Outside of Haines I watched a beautiful red fox walking down the side of the highway, totally oblivious to my rattle can diesel truck following him, he veered off into a patch of willows and about 20 ptarmigan burst out of the snow (very cold wind swept morning, snow was smooth as concrete), the fox watched where the birds let down (about 30 yards into another willow patch), I stopped the truck and got out to take some pics, and watched the fox maneuver around to try and get into position to make a go at them…..I walked in for a pic of the ptarmigan that were now on high alert, though they could care less about me and were looking for the fox…..I got too close and the birds flushed and this time left the country. The fox stood about 50 yards out and just stared at me, and I swear, gave me a dirty look. I knew exactly what was going through his mind. I felt like a jerk.
I have pictures somewhere of this entire event. If I can find them I’ll post them.

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I haven't seen partridge do this, but I'm not surprised.

I have seen sharptails do this numerous times. Once there is snow cover they frequently have a dusk "last flight" where a loose flock will crash into the snow burying themselves for the night. The main theories are that this both insulates them from nighttime lows, and blocks scent release to predators with noses. I've also had sharptails flush midday from beneath a foot of undisturbed snow (it had snowed overnight) atop a wheat field, and upon investigation found actual lateral tunnels up to two feet long where undoubtedly the birds were feeding on waste grain entirely out-of-sight. A foot of snow still gets some light penetration, so the grouse were probably just finding the grain by sight after getting familiar with the field before snowfall.

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That is cool when they do that. That little borough in the snow they make keeps them warmer then the below freezing air.


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