It certainly feels and sounds like spring. Lisa and I were awakened by a loud fluttering sound just outside our window. This is common as it begins to warm up and the snow melts out. A blue grouse, specifically a dusky grouse, struts around beneath our window and makes a dramatic fluttering sound with his wings. These birds are relatively large, chicken-like, and dusky gray in color. They are none too clever or graceful. I have watched one take off and crash directly into a tree trunk or branch. We often see them around the ranch throughout the summer. The males can put on quite a display during courtship. For more information you can see: http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/blue_grouse.htm and http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dusky_Grouse/id. Photo from the Rocky Mountain National Park website.