Discussion: Sounds like...

... a tjäder (sv.) to me. Check here...


That is if it was big like a goose or something like that - they are quite aggressive when threatened.

Haha, ya that's the one!

That's a mean looking bird...

All though not as scary as what I almost stepped on last Spring:

I still jump at rustling grass...

I still think my deer run-in at Kanata Lakes was the scariest...

I encountered a diamondback rattlesnake while hiking in Texas. While I'm sure it would have been much more unnerving while orienteering, at least rattlesnakes let you know of their presence. I imagine most other venemous snakes are less effective at communicating their agitation.

Hate to break it to you, but rattlesnakes don't always let you know... I've run into several rattlers in Arizona and I only remember one that rattled. In other words, it's hopeless! Rattlesnakes are silent killers!

When you ran into them they probably weren't irritated and thus didn't rattle. Unless the 'silent' rattlesnakes you encountered actually tried to bite you I'm siding with Ian.

Don't take this away from me Cristina, I'll never be able to run down South again!

Oh, don't worry, it's perfectly safe down there. After seven total years living in the Sonoran desert I still have a 0% bite rate.

Stupid capercaillies. Currently causing havoc with WOC 2015 plans. It used to be just a couple of woods that we weren't allowed in because of them, and now it's most of Speyside. Surely that means they're a) breeding well and b) not bothered by our previous presence in the woods one bit, if they've now moved there?

Grrrr.

You're not having WOC in June right? By the end of the summer, when the chicks have grown up a bit, capercailles shouldn't be a problem at all. Except for easily scared canadians. (They do really make a lot of noise if you run into one.) The male aggressiveness is only in the spring mating season and actually not that common. Most of them just act a bit strange and won't attack you.

I'm pretty sure WOC is the usual time. But in Scotland the regulations are in force at all times except November-February! I agree that it shouldn't be a problem at all...