A ruffed grouse...

Just south of Riding Mountain we saw a ruffed grouse just at the entrance to a field. Usually there are more than one but we didn't see any others. This is the first ruffed grouse I have seen this year. Some years I have seen them at the edges of the village where there are bushes or trees for cover.

Ruffed Grouse

It was a very slow day again at the feeder. I saw one lone redpoll and several chickadees but that is all. However on a drive out of town I saw several ravens near the village dump. Finally I also saw a ruffed grouse near some woods at the side of the road in the snow. This is the first grouse I have seen this winter. Usually they are in groups. I have often startled them while on walks.