Willow ptarmigan in favourable seasons, many juveniles may survive and the population of willow ptarmigan is prone to wide fluctuations in size. By September, families begin to form flocks. The females and young migrate to lower altitudes and may overwinter from their breeding grounds in wooded valleys and hilly country. The males also congregate in small groups but do not usually travel as far as the females. The willow ptarmigan was adopted as the state bird of Alaska in 1955. Widespread and not uncommon in its remote habitat, the willow ptarmigan is classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
2008 Arctic Winter Games 2008 Arctic Winter Games Approximately 2,000 athletes, coaches, team staff and officials participated in the 2008 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada, celebrating the 20th event. The 2008 games took place from March 9 through March 15. Events were held in and around the city of Yellowknife. This was the fourth time Yellowknife had hosted the games, and the fifth time overall in the Northwest Territories. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Competition was held in alpine skiing, badminton, basketball, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, Dene games (see Dene), dog mushing, figure skating, gymnastics,