Where to see Lady Amherst's or Golden Pheasants

[natasha38]

Does anyone know where I can see any Lady Amherst's pheasants? I have looked around (briefly) on the internet & realise they are rare but just thought that someone on here may have spotted one. From what I read it seems that Bedfordshire (near me) is the place to go, but where abouts? I found one post about a hybrid that was spotted recently but nothing else. Also I would love to see a Golden pheasant so if anyone knows where I can see these (I live in Letchworth) that would be great.
We have recently had a common pheasant visiting our garden to feed on the seeds I place out & even though there are loads of these birds everywhere I am still amazed at how stunning they are. When the sun shines on him he loves amazing, I usually wait for him to arrive each morning for his breakfast before I leave for work then watch him run back to his field when he's done! Although I've started worrying about him as has to cross a road to reach us so I have to watch him to make sure he gets across safely - I'm getting in to work later & later each day!!!

[aeshna5]

Wolverton Triangle in Norfolk is a well known site for Golden Pheasant.

As for Lady A's there are very few left. I did see 2 males c15 years ago near Woburn.

[david156]

Sculthorpe moor near Fakenham, in Norfolk.

Saw this one there.


David

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Wolverton Triangle in Norfolk is a well known site for Golden Pheasant.

As for Lady A's there are very few left. I did see 2 males c15 years ago near Woburn.

Think that should have been Wolferton!

[caernerch]

only site I can offer is Halkyn Church Old cemetry N. wales for Lady Amhersts don't fget to look over the walls into the surrounding property.
it's a long way from you but well worth a short break 'cos there are plenty of great birding sites in n.wales. get in touch if you're going n i'll give you a few suggestions.
caernerch

[natasha38]

Thanks for the tips. I think Norfolk is a definite possibility in a few weeks, maybe wales in the summer. The pic of the golden pheasant is brilliant, what amazing looking birds they are.

[drivermech]

For the last few weeks there has been one ion my garden in The Scottish Borders

[RobS]

See the other thread but basically the last LAPs are virtually extinct existing by being fed (this from a personal communication with Lee Evans).

As has been mentioned Wolferton Triangle is good but there are other places in East Anglia. Here's what RBA have to say:

East Anglia - Norfolk
Favoured sites in Norfolk are the woodlands at Sandringham and Wolferton Triangle, where small numbers skulk in the dense rhododendron scrub adjacent to the A149, in the beech mast and leaf litter at Hockham's Belt and East Wretham Heath (adjacent to A1075, NE of Thetford) and at Croxton Woods (accessed from the A11 Thetford By-pass). A population of some 20 birds still exists in the woodlands north of Grime's Graves and to the east of Mundford.
Wayland Wood, Watton: A reknowned site in Norfolk is the isolated Wayland Wood reserve south of Watton. This NWT reserve holds a small population of birds which are difficult to see, either in the early mornings or just prior to dusk. It is a small deciduous wood situated to the east of the A1075, just south of Watton, with a trust car park at TL 923997, capable of holding eight cars. The woodland is criss-crossed by a number of damp and muddy footpaths, from which the pheasants can be encountered. In fact, a most favoured site is the first ride right, less than 50 yards from the car park.


East Anglia - Suffolk
Dwindling population of at least 26 birds still survives in breckland
Mayday Farm, Brandon: 1-2 Golden Pheasants can still be found in the coniferous woodlands to the west of the B1106 at Mayday Farm. Park at TL 795835 (OS Sheet 144) and walk SW along the clearly marked Goshawk Nature Trail. Golden Pheasants favour the woodland on both sides of the track by the radar antennae, and can be seen (mostly in March-May) feeding on the tracks or in the leaf-litter from dawn until 7.00am. This area is also extremely good for Woodlark, Nightjar, Crossbill, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Tree Pipit and migrant/wintering Great Grey Shrike. On fine, clear, sunny days in March and April, Goshawks from neighbouring territories can be seen displaying over the open heath (view from watchpoint at TL 786827), with sometimes up to five birds together.


South-west England - Dorset
An isolated population in Poole Harbour consisting of at least 20 birds
Up to 20 birds survive on Brownsea and Furzey Islands in Poole Harbour.
A feral population of at least six pairs also exists on Tresco (Scilly) and isolated birds, no doubt escapes from local collections, were recorded in at least five counties in 1995, including 1-3 birds in Dropmore Woods (Bucks) and 2-10 birds on the Mull of Galloway (Strathclyde).

[Jim Ford]

Kew Gardens for Golden Pheasants - they come and feed from your hand!

Jim

[RobS]

And here's the info from LGRE on LAPs:

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is an extremely secretive and retiring species which inhabits the mixed woodland glades along the Greensand ridge in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It has a particular preference for beech and young conifer plantations, but relies heavily on woodlands with thick, dense cover in which to hide and forage.

It was first imported into England by Lady Sarah Amherst in July 1828, but did not successfully breed in captivity until 1871. It was initially introduced into Bedfordshire in 1890, when small numbers were released for ornamental purposes in Woburn Park. These gradually colonised neighbouring woodlands and by 1960, at least 200 were considered to be at large in the county. In 1971, it was officially admitted to Category C of the British List, and now maintains a precarious foothold as a British breeding bird. Naturalised it most certainly has become, confiding and easy to observe it definitely has not.

Its true origin is in the uplands of SW China, Tibet and Burma, where it inhabits the isolated mountain ridges covered in rhododendron and bamboo thickets and is now somewhat endangered.

Finding Lady Amherst's Pheasants at their known haunts is a difficult task, and requires patience and persistence. They are notoriously skulking and scamper away at the slightest hint of disturbance (branch cracking/voices/rustling/etc.). They are best observed during the winter months, particularly in snowy conditions, up to two hours after dawn and up to two hours prior to dusk. At these times they often frequent open woodland glades and tracks, and can sometimes be observed foraging amongst leaf litter under the canopy. In spring, they become increasingly active and can be heard uttering their diagnostic, rather mellow, disyllabic call from the woodland floor. April and May can be good months to see this species, especially at dawn, when amorous males may be encountered fighting for the attention of females.

The current population (January 2007) is estimated to be in the region of just 7 birds (all adult males), with 1-2 being attracted to feeding stations.