Golden Pheasant have never been proven to have bred in Highland (BoS 2007), although there have been previous records. In the most recent Bird Atlas 2007-11, there is a single summer record and a single winter record from different areas.
In October 2017, Sam Borthwick had an adult male Golden Pheasant feeding on the verge next to Mid Morile, Woodend in Strathdearn. Later on the 8th November 2017, a male Golden Pheasant was seen feeding somewhat amazingly on the verge of the A9 on the Moy Estate!.
This year there was a sighting on the 22nd September from Nick Weston, see the tweet below...
In October 2017, Sam Borthwick had an adult male Golden Pheasant feeding on the verge next to Mid Morile, Woodend in Strathdearn. Later on the 8th November 2017, a male Golden Pheasant was seen feeding somewhat amazingly on the verge of the A9 on the Moy Estate!.
This year there was a sighting on the 22nd September from Nick Weston, see the tweet below...
A brief survey of the area on the 26th September by Peter Stronach identified at least five birds present. There were two males, one adult and a 1CY, and three females, two of which appeared to be adult and were ringed. One of the females had a single flesh coloured ring on the right leg and nothing on the left, the other had a green ring on the right leg and flesh coloured ring on the left.
Adult male Golden Pheasant at Kyllachy, Strathdearn (Peter Stronach)
The birds were seen feeding on the grassy verge of the main Strathdearn road before retreating to the thick Rhododendron undergrowth adjacent, giving good views if you stay in your vehicle.
Female Golden Pheasant at Kyllachy Estate (Peter Stronach)
The best place to view the birds is a lay-by on the Strathdearn road directly adjacent to the Kyllachy Estate at 57.305126, -4.019580 or NH7844025666, if you stay in your car and look northeast along the road and check the grassy verge for feeding pheasants. There is currently (Sept 2018) a lot of construction traffic, so early morning at the weekends is probably the best time to try.
If you see these birds, please record numbers, sex and age of the birds and any rings seen, and send any data to the highland recorder. Also if you know of or have seen any Golden Pheasants in other areas of Highland please let us know.
Written by Peter Stronach
If you see these birds, please record numbers, sex and age of the birds and any rings seen, and send any data to the highland recorder. Also if you know of or have seen any Golden Pheasants in other areas of Highland please let us know.
Written by Peter Stronach
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