Found a male Spruce Grouse on the Whyte Road about a 1/2 mile east of the Stoney River Forest Road in Lake County (Superior National Forest)
He was picking grit and then flew up into a Tamarack to feed on the needles. I have seen them eat Jack Pine and Black Spruce needles but this was a first (probably because I usually see them in winter after the Tamarack needles have fallen)
Also for future (i.e. winter) reference, the Stoney River Forest Road is closed about 9 miles N of CR11/15. It sounds like the June floods washed out the road. It is closed indefinitely.
So you can drive the northern 6 miles (accessible from Hwy2) or the southern 9 miles (accessible from CR11/15)
Sparky Stensaas
2515 Garthus Road
Wrenshall, MN 55797
218.341.3350 cell [log in to unmask]