evcvet

Dear Beans; I don' t pretend to know more about Blues than anyone else. In the area you described I would look for them in the fir. I do believe it is likely they went to roosting sites early. Tom Remington, a Colorado biologist, did a study on grouse roosting sites and behavior that showed the primary difference is wind at the roosting sites and that Blue grouse use movement in microenviroment to control energy expenditures. The birds move to protected subalpine fir roosting sites. There movement within habitat appears to be the way grouse survive in these harsh enviroments.
How is your season so far? The Blues are much better in NM this year than last. Berries, hoppers were abundant and the young did well. A good rebound but drought killed us last year. Our grouse habitat is much more limited than yours, however, and there are never enough. It is great just getting out in the high country with the dogs.