Survival of Ruffed Grouse Chicks in the Central and Southern Appalachian Region

Brian W. Smith, Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6125, Morgantown, WV 26506.

John W. Edwards, Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6125, Morgantown, WV 26506.

Tom Allen, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241.

Abstract: The Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project (ACGRP) was initiated to investigate population trends, general ecology, and factors influencing survival of ruffed grouse in the Appalachian region. Preliminary data suggested that survival of ruffed grouse chicks was lower on our study areas than in more northern portions of the bird's range. In May 2000, the ACGRP initiated a project focused on chick survival during the first five weeks posthatch. Ruffed grouse chicks from 4 study areas (Westvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest, Randolph County, WV; Botetourt County, VA; Moshannon State Forest, PA; and Greenbrier County, WV) received miniature radio transmitters affixed via a fixed-diameter collar made of polyethylene tubing. Broods were captured 3 days posthatch, and 3-4 chicks within each brood received radio collars. If chicks survived to 12 days posthatch, the first transmitter was replaced with a larger one to suffice until 5 weeks posthatch (i.e., when the collars would be removed). Once collared, chicks were monitored twice daily to assess their status and monitor their movements. Across all 4 study areas, 63 ruffed grouse chicks were radio-collared at 3 days posthatch, but only 2 chicks survived to 35 days posthatch. Exposure to inclement weather and predation were the leading causes of mortality, explaining approximately 81% of deaths recorded. We believe inclement weather (i.e., during Spring 2000), especially during peak hatching time, had a negative impact on survival of ruffed grouse chicks (collared and uncollared) during the first week of their life. We will continue our research of chick survival on the 4 ACGRP sites in 2001 and hope for normal weather conditions to determine 1) the importance of other mortality factors (e.g., predation) and 2) how significant an impact weather has on chick survival.