DISAPPEARING GOLDENS

Thirty years ago, when shooting in the Suffolk Brecks, I used to see golden pheasants regularly. They are stunningly handsome birds, though reluctant to fly. Are any still there?

The Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks used to be the golden pheasant’s stronghold in the UK. These beautiful pheasants were first released in this country from 1725 onwards; many small populations became established, but most died out after a few years. The longest lasting were in North Norfolk, the Brecks and on the South Downs in Hampshire and West Sussex. Thirty years ago, Britain was thought to have the only self-sustaining population outside China.

Today the golden pheasant is just hanging on, with only a few birds surviving in the wild. The most recent Suffolk bird report notes three records of birds in 2020, all from the Euston estate, which once supported a strong population. Similar declines have been noted elsewhere, so it seems likely that this bird will soon be extinct in the UK. DT