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.
Winter Mountain he began the process of recording the new songs at Cube Studios. During the recording process Francis set up his own 'Astral Fox Records' and began planning the self-release of the album. 'I Swear I Flew' was released to critical acclaim in November 2016. Winter Mountain has supported Seal, Ben Ottewell of Gomez, Guy Garvey of Elbow, The Feeling, Ocean Colour Scene, Leann Rhimes, Cara Dillon, Benny Gallagher, Seth Lakeman, Fleet Foxes, Paolo Nutini, Sara and Sean Watkins (formerly of Nickel Creek), Rosanne Cash, Richard Thompson, Grammy award winner Patty Griffin and others. Winter Mountain Winter Mountain is the stage