I have no idea why this red-legged partridge decided to visit the Farrell domain. I don’t believe I have ever seen a sign of one around Wenlock’s field margins, although it ought to be ideal territory. They apparently like open farm terrain and feed on seeds, roots and small invertebrates. Also when disturbed they prefer to run rather than fly.
Yet here was this one, having clearly flown, atop the old garden privies (now sheds) and showing off for all the world to see. It was there for ages too, giving me ample opportunity to snap away from the bedroom window. The light was perfect, a crisp March morning last year. I watched while it scanned the neighbourhood, and at one point went in for some loud hallooing partridge style. I wondered if it was advertising for a mate. In any event none appeared, not unless it was running-not-flying over in the field and I couldn’t see it. So the mystery was never solved and after a quarter of an hour the visitor departed, never to be seen since, which is a pity. A partridge on the privy would be a pleasing garden addition.
The red-legged partridge has French origins and was introduced to the British Isles in the 1700s as a new game bird for land-owner shooting types. It apparently has over 73,000 breeding sites in England, Wales and lowland Scotland, and is a much more colourful character than the UK’s native Grey Partridge.
Tish Farrell 
A Partridge on the Privy, almost sounds like a mystery novel. It’s rather a beauty. Maybe you’ll see it again in the spring.
It would be nice to know what it was up to.
or at least a poem by Pam Ayres!
Oh, yes!
😊
TEehee!
How fantastic, and what a fabulous surprise. Maybe it was suggesting you had a weather vane!
Oh I like that notion, Becky. A weather vane.
A project for 2022!
Pretty ..yes….maybe just scouting for next season.
A handsome fellah. A bit showy for Yorkshire apparently. I don’t think I’ve seen this type here.
They apparently do more running about than flying, so probably not so easily spotted in field margins.
Al the same, I’m a bit of a field-plodder.
Wonder if it’s related to a partridge in a pear tree? Here we call them outhouses and my dad tells the story of how during parties on the farm, rowdy boys would sometimes push the outhouse over. Hope no one was inside when that happened. Strange ideas of fun sometimes, eh?
Ah, yes, outhouse humour. We call them that too. Or did do.
They’re called privies some places here as well, regional differences as I know you have there too. 🙂
I meant to add that I enjoyed the closeup.
Quite pretty. I must confess I never saw one in France. Something to look for.
(Closeup very good)
They tend not fly unless very disturbed, so probably they’re not often easily spotted.
Stunning photographs! We have partridges too, but yours has prettier feathers.
Thank you. Our truly native species aren’t so snazzy.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a partridge! I guess the privy is a good alternative to the traditional pear tree 😆
A pear tree would be nice though 🙂
😃🌳🍐
Such a handsome chap and very well captured.
He is handsome, isn’t he.