A Jewel In The Snow

You never know what you will see when you go for a walk or snowshoe our property.  I have only seen one of these in the 12 years we have lived here.  A rare sight indeed, but they are around.  This Ring-neck Pheasant was eating weed seeds in the fencerow.  His mate was closeby.  Not a native species, Ring-necked Pheasants were introduced here in the 1800’s mainly for sport hunting.  They do better in winters without a lot of snow as they are not equipped to deal with our worst winters.  Also even today, the ministry of natural resourses augments their population with hatchery raised birds.

I hope you will get out and enjoy the season, you never know what you will see.

#WinterGetaway #CountryBampB #birding #nature #OntarioCanada