On June 6, 2005, Chris Hughes and I birded Ivy Log Gap Road in Towns and Union Counties. At around 4 P.M. just before a thunderstorm hit the mountain, we encountered a female Ruffed Grouse in the road. She was slowly walking away from us with her crest raised. We waited to see if she had chicks with her, and soon, nine emerged from the high grass on the side of the road in answer to her vocalizations. The adult female flew into a tree briefly and then rejoined her chicks, leading them away from the road and down the mountainside into a deep hardwood cove. One of the chicks took flight brieflly but strongly. It is always a thrill to see Ruffed Grouse in Georgia.

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