NDR--That Partridge Scared the **** Out of Me.

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
Last week, I had the great pleasure to spend two days in the spring woods walking and wading a brook trout and salmon stream where we hope to be doing some habitat work later this summer. Partridge were drumming everywhere, and we were spooking brook trout out of every pool.

On the second day, I overslept and did not have time to pack a proper lunch. So I tossed an apple in my bag and grabbed a convenience store sandwich to go with it--turkey and swiss on a stale roll. I knew it was a mistake, but I wasn't going to make it all day in the woods an an apple. About 45 minutes after lunch, I was VERY sure it was a mistake, and I left the rest of the crew to find a quiet spot in the woods. Probably most members of this forum have had to do their business in the woods while wearing waders. For those who have not--it's complicated. There are a lot of things to get down past your knees and out of the way before you let fly.

I sidled up to a nice mossy log at just the right height to "hang two", slide down the waders, pants, and drawers, made sure the suspenders were out of the way, and settled back. As my cheeks hit the moss, something exploded under my thighs--a hen partridge flushed between my knees, touching both legs with her wing tips. Down below me, centered at ground zero, was her nest with 12 eggs. I managed to hold things together while I duck walked to another spot for relief. I sure hope she doesn't abandon that nest. I am totally kicking myself for leaving my phone and camera on the riverbank in my pack.
 
Damn! I'll bet that got your attention!

Good to hear about all the drumming activity. Let's hope the weather is kind to the chicks.

Matt
 
Jeff, While yes, indeed I had a good chuckle at the turn of events, there are a couple things here for all of us to learn. (A) How amazing is her dedication to her nest. (B) The value in staying completely still as a method of camouflage in plain sight.

PS. Glad you survived and are able to write about your ordeal. [cool]
 
I have a books worth of stories regarding woods...relief. That however is a new one!

Better a grouse than a bear cub I suppose.
 
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Jeff,

Now that Sir, is what I deem a "one of a kind Outdoor Experience"!

The term "Outdoor Experience" is what I've been calling it for many years. As my mentor told me many years ago, discussing such things is Shitty Conversation. He had a great sense of humor.Therefore the term OE.

Bringing all clothing, etc. forward of the target area, is of utmost importance, as you so well noted.


That you were able to keep your wits about you, yer rear end in control, and count eggs is... well you know.

IF there were awards for the Best Outdoor Experience True Story. You sir would win.


And still after all that, your concern is that the hen grouse does not abandon her nest. That's Class.


VP
 
Great story Jeff, ruffed grouse always do that. Years ago during forestry summer camp in Vermont I remember stepping over a log while cruising timber and having almost stepping on a nesting hen. I almost evacuated my pants then and they were held up by a belt. I am not quite sure how you managed to control yourself in your moment of excitement.
 
Matt Mahoney said:
Damn! I'll bet that got your attention!

Good to hear about all the drumming activity. Let's hope the weather is kind to the chicks.

Matt

Pretty dry, which is probably good for early chick survival and poor for summer food.

I was in the woods to fish last weekend, in the field for work Monday and Tuesday, and again fishing Saturday and today. In that time we went from mud season with a fair bit of snow still in woods--even still on the logging roads in places on north facing slopes above about 1400' elevation--to mid-summer dusty roads.
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Jeff, While yes, indeed I had a good chuckle at the turn of events, there are a couple things here for all of us to learn. (A) How amazing is her dedication to her nest. (B) The value in staying completely still as a method of camouflage in plain sight.

PS. Glad you survived and are able to write about your ordeal. [cool]

No woods pooping involved today, but I had an otherwise almost identical experience with a woodcock today. She (I assume) got up almost directly under my feet. I couldn't find a next, but the brush was thick and I was in a hurry to find some rising trout. I bet there was a nest within 10 feet or less of where I was standing.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I am totally kicking myself for leaving my phone and camera on the riverbank in my pack.

I am not sure that a picture we need to see [w00t]

but what a once in a lifetime experience
 
I had a hen quail flush off a nest between my legs while I was working on a ground nesting bird research project. We returned 5 days later right as 16 of the 21 eggs (probably some dump eggs) were it hatching. If they sit that tight, they are close to hatching and much less likely to abandon as they have a lot of time invested.
 
Jeff,
This is absolutely precious. How you managed to hold it in while getting the IT scared out of you I will never know.

Great story.

That will teach for not making your own lunch.

Larry
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Last week, I had the great pleasure to spend two days in the spring woods walking and wading a brook trout and salmon stream where we hope to be doing some habitat work later this summer. Partridge were drumming everywhere, and we were spooking brook trout out of every pool.

On the second day, I overslept and did not have time to pack a proper lunch. So I tossed an apple in my bag and grabbed a convenience store sandwich to go with it--turkey and swiss on a stale roll. I knew it was a mistake, but I wasn't going to make it all day in the woods an an apple. About 45 minutes after lunch, I was VERY sure it was a mistake, and I left the rest of the crew to find a quiet spot in the woods. Probably most members of this forum have had to do their business in the woods while wearing waders. For those who have not--it's complicated. There are a lot of things to get down past your knees and out of the way before you let fly.

I sidled up to a nice mossy log at just the right height to "hang two", slide down the waders, pants, and drawers, made sure the suspenders were out of the way, and settled back. As my cheeks hit the moss, something exploded under my thighs--a hen partridge flushed between my knees, touching both legs with her wing tips. Down below me, centered at ground zero, was her nest with 12 eggs. I managed to hold things together while I duck walked to another spot for relief. I sure hope she doesn't abandon that nest. I am totally kicking myself for leaving my phone and camera on the riverbank in my pack.

This is awesome Jeff. I lol'd.
 
That is pretty cool Jeff! I am sure the grouse told all her friends about how she scared away this big white moon coming at her.
 
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