Hazel Grouse - it's been a while

For many, many years Hazel Grouse was a very frustrating species for me. I knew of areas where they had territories and would occasionally flush one or hear one singing but struggled to see them well let alone get a photo. As I got to understand the species better I was able to get slightly better and better photos but it was always a lot of work and the better areas I knew of were quite a walk in often difficult terrain. Then in spring 2021 I discovered a new territory that was less than 15 minutes walk, in easy terrain and best of all had a pair, and especially male, that were remarkably confiding. This territory became my go to site for the species and although never guaranteed I could find them on something like 4 out of 5 visits. The fun lasted for 3 years with my last sighting in spring 2024. I’ve no idea what happened but assume the male died presumably taken by a predator. I had assumed that the territory would be taken over by a new male but that hasn’t happened and I have struggled to find Hazel Grouse since then with many previous territories seemingly unoccupied.

Today though I finally had a good encounter with the species in a territory where I have previously seen them and although nothing like the encounters I had with “my boy” there may be something to work with here.

 

Pygmy Owl also showed so it was approaching one of those good autumn days in the forest. Just need some rarer owls and finches to turn up now.

I initially found the male on the ground and played a game of cat and mouse with this being the best image I managed

he then flew up into an alder tree where he remained and fed allowing much better if often obscured views. I did see his mate briefly but she didn't feed in the open

Pygmy Owl (spurveugle) - quite likely the same bird as in my previous post

the Whooper Swan (sangsvane) family in Maridalen

a close and in focus encounter with a young male (based on small size) Goshawk (hønsehauk)

I saw him first on the ground

before he then took off and flew right towards me (I was in he car). My camera problems (the shutter doesn't shut properly) are clear to see but my manual focusing worked far better than the autofocus ever did of a bird in flight