Lady Amherst's pheasant spotted in Bucks

[helen159]

I was out walking with my friend last week in the region of Lane End, Bucks, when we came across two highly coloured pheasants. When I got in I looked them up and they appear to be Lady Amherst's pheasants!

I've done a bit of research and can only find articles saying they were very rare and usually only in Bedfordshire. These two were definitely males, and certainly not either the common pheasant or the golden pheasant. Every marking on the birds were the same as the bird book I found, except that I seem to remember their underbellies/sides were more brown mottled, than dark blue and white (I likened it to a 'painted Faberge egg'). Most notable was their tails, the orange on the back and the very distinctive white mask over their eyes and on their 'black/blue' head.

Have I seen an extremely rare bird, or are they increasing in numbers? Interestingly, they stayed on the path, looking at me, my friend and our two dogs (on leads fortunately) then they slowly walked into the woods, giving short clucking sounds (unlike the common pheasant screeches).

Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo on my phone but intend to go back to the place to see if I can find them again.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Helen

[ron1863]

Nice spot Helen. I have never seen one, though I don't think there are any up here in Scotland. Here is a link with information on it's distribution:

Lady Amherst's Pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae)

[helen159]

Thank you - I also saw this site and notice that in 2008 one was spotted in Little Chalfont, Bucks - but in 2008. I've tried to register but am having trouble getting into any of the links, it just keeps asking me for the password (even tho I've verified my email address etc). Why are some of these websites so difficult to get into?! It's probably operator error, but I'll keep giving it a go! Regards, Helen

[ron1863]

Helen, I had the same problem with another site but I deleted my browsing history, cookies and temporary Internet files, which seemed to solve the problem.

[The Woodman]

Hi Helen

Various pheasant species crop in the most unusaul places from time to time.

I used to see a Lady Amherst cock in woods near Kirkby Lonsdale regularly for about three years and recently a Golden Pheasant in a garden near Danby in North Yorks.

In our village a chap breeds exotic pheasants and nearly every morning Silver Pheasants can be seen on the road near his house.

Escapees often turn up with "ordinary" pheasants on estates bred for shooting.

I don't think the rarity value counts as in true wild birds as what you have seen will probably be an escapee from a collection. They do, however, make interesting viewing and turn a mundane walk into a memorable one.

[Jason Green]

Hi Helen,

Maybe the chest colours show it's young? Anyway, I've just looked it up - what an absolutely stunning-looking bird! A beautiful find. Interesting to see your photo - good luck with seeing it again!

Take care,

Jason

[aeshna5]

I remember going to see some of the Bedfordshire birds over a decade ago- absolute stunners.

The feral population has dwindled to the extent that it's on the verge of extinction now. They are very popular with aviculturists + I remember seeing some hybrids with this species + Golden Pheasant at Kew Gardens a few years back.

[Tormentil]

Has anyone told her ??

[ChrisJB]

I've only seen these once, as a kid in Halkyn churchyard in North Wales. They are not there anymore alas. As for golden pheasants, I've looked for these a few times at the 'Wolferton Triangle' and Wayland Wood, without success. I did see one near Bolton Abbey a couple of years back, in Yorkshire and am still unsure whether or not to put it on my list.

Regards, Chris

[david156]

I read an article recently, (cant remember where) that said that Lady Amherst's Pheasant may be taken off catagory C on the British List and put on to catagory E. This means it would be classed as an escapee, not a wild bird!

Took this from the BOU website:
"Lady Amherst’s Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae C6E*"

Which means:

"C6 Former naturalized species – species formerly placed in C1 whose naturalized populations are either no longer self-sustaining or are considered extinct, e.g. Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae"

" E Species that have been recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*. Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C)."