Can Mike come out to play?

We're surprised, yet relieved, that Groupie has survived another week. Groupie is our rather unusual Ruffed Grouse who, unlike most other grouse, is not at all skittish or timid. He had a close call two weeks ago when a predator gave him a nasty head wound. We believe it was one of the foxes or coyotes rather than the goshawks or owls. Regardless of who he evaded, we're happy to report that Groupie is on the mend--all that remains are some whacked feathers that barely cover a small scar (see photo at right).

After laying low to recuperate for a couple of days, Groupie resurfaced. He seems to be back to his old self. He is drumming regularly for a few female grouse, snacking on sumac trees, strutting about in full display (see photo below from earlier this year), and patiently waiting on our doormat for Mike to step outside to play.

Today, during Mike's walkabout of the property, Groupie played tagalong by scurrying from tree to tree, then following closely at Mike's heels. He tried to keep up as Mike hiked up and down hills, through deep snow, across the frozen creek and eventually back to our house. That's a lot of exercise for Groupie's chicken-like legs.

The nippy February weather even tually drove Mike back indoors to the warmth of our wood stove. We can only hope that Groupie finds a sheltered place to roost for the night as temperatures plummet to -28C.