Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) are classed as non-native game birds in the UK, although pheasants have been here for about 900 years. Many millions of these game birds are released in the UK each year, greatly exceeding the number that are shot and there is concern in some circles that this might have some negative impact on native wildlife. On the other hand, gamekeepers, who produce game friendly habitat and control predators such as foxes and crows, also help other wildlife including ground nesting birds.
We have only seen Red-legged Partridge on the Wildlife Site once (2 birds in 2016, see photo below) but a small number of wild pheasants live and breed here. There is no shooting on the Wildlife Site so some of the Pheasants have become relatively tame and are seen in Downlee Lodge garden and in Wildlife Site fields throughout the year. This has given us the opportunity to observe and appreciate these attractive birds at close quarters. The brilliant colour of the male Pheasant never fails to impress and the relatively drab cream-brown female is delicately patterned and camouflaged. In spring a male pheasant is usually seen courting two or three females. After disappearing for a while, the females often reappear in the hay meadow, Field 2, or in Downlee Lodge garden or wildflower meadow, accompanied by 4-6 young.
Photographs of Game Birds
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Pheasant Red-legged Partridge
