The roaring of the cocks can be heard from the edge of village, high on the Ore Mountains ridge. You don’t have to travel far to witness the wild spectacle of Black Grouse on their courtship display. Every spring, before and about two hours after sunrise, something wild happens in Europe’s remaining natural open moorlands. Male Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) gather in groups on so-called arenas, or courtship displays, to fight, dance, and loudly compete for the attention of the females. The competition is loud and physical, one of the most intense natural spectacles one can experience.
On an early, windless, sunny morning, I found myself above an expansive bog. The sun will soon rise; it will be at my back. This makes viewing conditions ideal. What will later be the courtship display is now simply a mosaic of heather, blueberry, rushes, and tall grass. In between, a few dead birches and dwarf spruces. This is supposed to be the natural stage for the coming clashes.
Suddenly, the first white tail fan appears. In the spotting scope, it’s unmistakably a Black Grouse. Its glossy black body, lyre-shaped tail feathers, and then the bright red “roses” above its eyes become apparent a short time later. On the courtship ground, a male fluffs up, fanning out its tail, leaps into the air, and lands, displaying its white wing markings. He emits a bizarre mixture of bubbling coos and hissing calls. It sounds like a cross between a gurgling whistle and an angry cat.
In areas with high population density, fights break out. These are short, violent skirmishes with wing flapping, pecking, and mock attacks.
But here, most of the action is a solo act, intended to be visually impressive. Later, I see more white feathers in the area. Each male claims a small piece of land and constantly struts to assert his claim. From higher up, a Black Grouse flies directly overhead. The hissing sound of flight fills my ears. The males in the area also occasionally launch into impressive low-level flights. Immediately after landing, the display continues.
I watch the show on stage for a while. Other nature lovers and photographers have also gathered. Then I see a male courting a female. Female Black Grouse are described as more reserved. They are brown, well-camouflaged, and usually don’t really come out of cover. It’s really difficult to even spot the hen in the spotting scope.
But that’s not the case today. Next to the first female, which is already being courted by the male, I spot a hen high in a lonely spruce tree. She sits there quite openly, albeit calmly. A picture made for me.
Later, I see more hens, seemingly imitating her. A total of five Black Grouse are perched together in a bare tree, observing the arena together. They, too, are completely free. Over time, however, one hen after another leaves the exposed perch and disappears in a rapid flight that one would never expect from these birds, who appear clumsy on the ground.
In many parts of Europe, the Black Grouse population has declined sharply. The courtship display is particularly sensitive. This is more than just a show; it’s brutal natural selection in action. Only the strongest and most visually fit males reproduce, which keeps the population genetically healthy. However, this system also makes Black Grouse vulnerable. If courtship sites are disturbed—by habitat loss, human activities, or predators—reproduction can decline sharply. While conservation organizations are trying to protect traditional courtship sites and restore the surrounding habitat to give the birds a chance, the massive pressure on the last remaining natural areas is immense. The outcome of the conservation organizations’ efforts is uncertain. Anyone who still wants to see the courtship display should get up early in the spring as a wildlife observer and keep their distance from the birds. The display is particularly effective in the overall context of their habitat.
For close-up shots, you should make the effort and take part in a guided tour to a pre-constructed hide in Scandinavia. The blog “Black Grouse on leks in the snowy spring of Finland ” offers good advice, among other things, and offers plenty of background information on the best spot and time.
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