Tuesday 23 December 2014

A New Bed

You have read before about 'our' pheasants - because the farmer feeds the wild birds all the year round, we get a huge number of pheasants at the bird table.  (they are probably the most common bird around here because we are surrounded by 'shoots' where gamekeepers breed (or buy in) young pheasants especially for shooting.)

These pheasants become quite tame, particularly in the Winter time when the weather is cold and food is scarce.   Also, because they roost up in the trees to escape predators (foxes mostly), we have a good stand of Scots Pines which make excellent roosts.  At least they do when the weather is reasonably calm.

But the last few days and nights we have had violent weather and it really must have been a nightmare for them clinging on to the branches.   We have been quite worried about where they would be.
I wish they would roost inside the cattle shed, which is open sided and has rafters which would be ideal - but they don't seem to like being under cover.

We need not have worried on their behalf.   Tonight we just happened to spot as we drew the curtains across, exactly where they were choosing to spend the night.   Next door my brother in law has a vegetable garden surrounded by a high privet hedge.   As it began to get dark the hedge side was dotted with  pheasants on the sheltered side - they had moved downstairs so to speak.

They are not daft are they?

9 comments:

Tom Stephenson said...

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Mac n' Janet said...

Though not the brightest of creatures they are adaptable.

angryparsnip said...

Oh I am so happy to hear that.
So a pheasant in a hedge is like the bird in hand ?
I read the letter from Tess to the Square Ones. They were Happy the package go there.
Left a message on my post.

cheers, parsnip

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

The only pheasant I have ever encountered came out of the woods and started running along side of the car for about a quarter mile. My friend, Judy, has beautiful wild turkeys where she lives. agreed with blue heads. I have a Scots Pine Christmas tree this year. Don't know how they could roost in one. Guess yours aren't pruned to resemble Christmas trees. Glad they found better shelter. Merry Christmas, Pat, to you and the Farmer. I enjoy knowing you.
:) m & jb

Cro Magnon said...

At my people's place in Shropshire there were plenty. We did feed them a bit in winter, but I think they would have lived there anyway.

Heather said...

Wise birds. It's a pity they don't have more road sense.

Heather said...

I must tell you - I have just had to type the dreaded words 'Happy Holidays' to prove I'm not a robot!!
I hope it doesn't make me do it again.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

They are certainly not daft. A farm near here is always thick with pheasants, but on the day of a shoot they very quickly migrate across the river to meadowlands where they are safe.
Have an excellent Christmas.

George said...

Though a little late with my comment, Pat, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I wish you and your family all the best in the coming year.