Black Grouse
Latin: Lyrurus tetrix (Linné 1758)
Svenska: Orre
Deutsch: Birkhuhn
Lekking and bubbles
In the weak dawn light, the air is filled with strange sounds, as if a babbling brook began to hiss. It's the sound of the blackcocks (male black grouse) gathered for lekking, their distinctive competitive display.
Adult black grouse eat berries, buds and sprouts from deciduous trees. Younger birds will also eat insects and other small critters.
The black grouse is found throughout Uppsala county but is relatively rare. It was considerably more common in the past, when the grouse's lek could often be heard near farmhouses. Gunnar Bruzewitz (Swedish author and artist) wrote in 'Birds of Uppland' that the new generation of birdwatchers could not imagine the number of grouse and capercaillie in the late 1930's.
Linneaus' Jumkil path is your best bet if you want to see black grouse. Head out early in the morning along Studentvilan towards Jumkil, and look in towards the birch trees.
Black grouse remain in Uppland throughout the year.
Photo: Gagea
Latest sightings of black grouse in Uppland
NatureGate on the black grouse
Wikipedia article on the black grouse
Read more about Linneaus' Jumkil path