If you go down to the woods today…

By Words | Published March 26, 2007

… you're sure of a big surprise!

No not a teddy bear's picnic, but lurking in the undergrowth I came across this extremely shy creature. Meet Lady Amherst's Pheasant.

According to my field guide they were introduced to Woburn in the 20th century from South East Asia. They've obviously spread out a little since then, but this one was certainly behaving in typical fashion, keeping low in the undergrowth which made taking any photos extremely difficult. This is the nearest to a full length shot, but there are a couple more details in the March Birds album.

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8 Comments

  1. sanshan March 27, 2007 at 3:03 am #

    What a gorgeous bird.

  2. anonymous March 27, 2007 at 4:03 am #

    Zachary writes:

    Wow, what a bird with striking plumage!

  3. Words March 27, 2007 at 6:03 pm #

    I can tell you I was utterly surprised – and delighted – when I saw it!

  4. SittingFox March 27, 2007 at 10:03 pm #

    Very special sighting :up: Spectacular.

  5. ALLY_G March 29, 2007 at 5:03 am #

    Very nice! :up:
    But tell me please, is this a special sort of pheasant?
    I just know a sort, which we call gold pheasant.

  6. Words March 29, 2007 at 7:03 am #

    Elke, according to my book we have three types of pheasant in England. The Common Pheasant which is very widepread, the Gold Pheasant which was introduced in the 19th century and is scarce, and Lady Amherst's which was introduced in the last 50 years to Woburn (which is a wildlife/safari park). So it is quite special to see one in the wild 😉

  7. ALLY_G March 29, 2007 at 8:03 am #

    Wow, that really is a special one and you had a lucky photo-day. :up:

  8. volkuro March 31, 2007 at 2:03 am #

    Beautiful!
    Lucky you 😀