Grey Partridge strongholds (1 Viewer)

[cranefan]

Hi all,

As a twentysomething birder in Britain, there are a few species whose populations have fallen hugely and which I've never been able to find in the UK. Key among these is the grey partridge - rare enough for me never to have found one in many hours in the countryside, but frequent enough that info on their whereabouts isn't usually shared.

Is anyone aware of a stronghold for grey partridge where I might stand a chance? Ideally somewhere not far from London.

And while I'm at it - lesser spotted woodpecker and white-fronted goose?

Thanks in advance!

 

[coaltit]

Hi all,

As a twentysomething birder in Britain, there are a few species whose populations have fallen hugely and which I've never been able to find in the UK. Key among these is the grey partridge - rare enough for me never to have found one in many hours in the countryside, but frequent enough that info on their whereabouts isn't usually shared.

Is anyone aware of a stronghold for grey partridge where I might stand a chance? Ideally somewhere not far from London.

And while I'm at it - lesser spotted woodpecker and white-fronted goose?

Thanks in advance!

Depending on access if you can get to any of The big city parks I would of thought a good chance of lesser spotted Woodpecker in them In fact its only on occasions I,ve had lesser spotted Woodpecker away from parkland and that has been birds briefly seen and calling in trees in my garden on one rare occasion a juvenile also sitting stationary on a tree trunk I was looking for a nesting pair of goldfinch,s at the time through my scope and came onto the bird, white fronted goose you,ll get them as feral Birds on the lakes mostly ornamental birds, you,ll get wild skeins in the Winter months outside london along the wash and elsewhere I would Imagine in similar habitat thou strongholds may be a touch out, Grey Partridge like all birds will be breeding now so only pairs will be together and the least disturbance for them now is all for the better, You say you,ve Spent Many hours out in the field looking for them with no luck what period of the year would this be ? The best time to see coveys of birds have been in October to december for myself thou only small perhaps 6 birds or more if your lucky and those numbers can drop right down, The red legged partridge is a favoured game bird so is often Introduced in the late summer or early Auturm for those purposes (Estate land) so their coveys are always bigger than greys and There are more pairs about to.

 

[Paul Longland]

There are several sites where LSW can be found in and around London area. As suggested a good place to start would be the royal parks, Richmond and regents park are known to hold them. However, you really need to be out and about in March/early April as the best chance of finding one is to listen for their calls/drumming at this time of year. Check out the London bird club wicki page (just google London birders) for up to date sightings in the greater London area. East Anglia is probably the best bet in winter for both white fronted goose (amongst others) and also grey partridge.

Good luck

 

[Farnboro John]

I don't know what constitutes "not far from London" but The Burgh in West Sussex, not far from Arundel, is part of a shooting estate that preserves traditional species. It is a top spot for Grey Partridges and the place I go for my year tick these days (starting from Farnborough in NE Hampshire: we used to have loads nearby but the poxy Red-legs and overstocked Pheasants have done for them.) Its good for raptors in winter too, Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls particularly but Peregrines, Merlins, Buzzards, Red Kites also, and scarce visitors have included Pallid Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard.

John

 

[aeshna5]

There are several sites where LSW can be found in and around London area. As suggested a good place to start would be the royal parks, Richmond and regents park are known to hold them. However, you really need to be out and about in March/early April as the best chance of finding one is to listen for their calls/drumming at this time of year. Check out the London bird club wicki page (just google London birders) for up to date sightings in the greater London area. East Anglia is probably the best bet in winter for both white fronted goose (amongst others) and also grey partridge.

Good luck

LSW have just about disappeared from the 2 parks you mention. Richmond Park used to hold several pairs but hardly any records last year, though a female was seen/heard at nearby Wimbledon Common for a couple of weeks about a month back. Now a difficult bird to connect with in the London area though a handful still turn up.

 

[Gander]

I don't know if it could be described as a stronghold, but Grey Partridge still have a good presence in Fife. I saw two this morning.

Of course, Fife may not fall into the "not too far from London" category.

 

[a_j_steele]

Therfield or any of the nearby villages near Royston, Herts can be a good place to see them (late winter/early spring time is best) they can be seen in the fields along the lanes if your lucky otherwise can be seen with a walk from behind the fox and duck pub which heads towards therfield heath though good ideal to learn the call as there often picked out that way on that route

 

[cranefan]

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestions - I'll definitely check out some of the places you mentioned for grey partridge.

I actually tried to see the LSW on Wimbledon Common when it was spotted a few weeks ago, but no luck. I'll try again next year!

 

[mulligatawny owl]

Denny wood in the New forest forest is a good bet for lesser spotted woodpecker. Cranborne to Pentridge walk in Dorset is a good one for grey partridge.