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| Pheasant cock |
Pheasant are not a native bird in the UK although they have been
around for a considerable time, possibly as early as the 10th
century. They are a regular sight on many country roads where they seem to
forage at road edges, dicing with death, near to car wheels. They are very easy
to spot along the Machrie Moor Road.
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| Cock with hen in the background |
The main habitat of pheasant is around woodland edges, grassland
and shrubby open ground, although they roost in trees of an evening and take
shelter in woodlands.
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| Muted tones of the hen pheasant |
The Estates that rear pheasant and conduct shoots take
considerable care in managing the bird welfare and habitat for the birds. This has an impact on other wildlife and a study by Game and wildlife conservation
trust found this created favourable conditions for song birds and
fauna. It is the opinion of some experts
that the pheasant population would collapse without the regular release of
reared birds and the land management that goes with it.
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| Red legged partridge, also found in small numbers on Arran |
The popularity of the pheasant as a game bird grew throughout
the 19th & 20th century, overtaking the partridge. It
is estimated that around 30 million pheasants are released each year. The
pheasant is believed to be the most hunted bird in the world! Although commonly
seen, the birds quickly recognise hunting parties and retreat to safety and
hiding.
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| Pheasant retreating from human contact |
The birds do not fly by choice, preferring to run or walk. When they do fly, it is only for short
distances and with a noisy wing sound and alarm call.
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| Working dog retrieving a hen pheasant |
The male is known as a cock and the female a hen. The female, as
with most birds, is much plainer and has a shorter tail. Young take the
appearance of a female until they are around 10 weeks old when the male plumage
begins to appear.
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| Some of a shoot 'bag' |
The
season for shoots in the UK is the 1st October to the 1st
February, the birds are protected outside these months.
All photographs copyright of Arran in Focus
