Black Grouse
The Black Grouse is not the rarest bird of the Norwegian forests and moorlands, but it is one of the common nature experiences that is often shown from one generation to the next. When the days grow longer in Spring, the male birds gather on the moorlands to fight for a spot. In comparison to the Western Capercaillie, the males stay close together on the grounds, and try to defend their small territory. Another difference is that Black Grouse very rarely end up killing each other during their encounters with others.
The females visit different lek sites and evaluate the males. Often you see them running across the lek when the time is right, closely being followed by the opposite gender. Sometimes there can be seen some female Black Grouse displaying in between the males.
While witnessing such a trait of beautiful wildlife, it is very important to behave with care. The best way is to use a camouflage tent, entering it during the early evening and leaving it only after the birds have been gone for thirty or up to sixty minutes. Even though common, Black Grouse do also suffer from decreasing numbers, and disappearance of their leking grounds. Whoever I meet at lek sides or living close by tells me that the number have been three or four times as much only a mere 30 years ago. It shows how even such a common bird can disappear. Here in Norway, it still might be common, but in middle Europe it has mostly gone for a longer time now.
We have to cherish and take care of what we have left in the North, which means we have to stop clear cutting forests and draining moorlands.
If you want to experience the Black Grouse lek second hand, you can have a look on the following video below. It was my second time experiencing these angry little chickens.