An unusual visitor to my greenhouse

I left my greenhouse open while doing some work in the borders earlier today and when I went back I found a game bird inside. I knew it wasn't a phesant as I've seen enough of those so I went on the RSPB site and found it was a red footed partridge.

I got it out the greenhouse, it then ran round the garden panicking for awhile. It's now been in my garden for at least 3 hours and doesn't appear to want to leave. Does anyone think I should do anything or just leave it to work out how to get back to its natural habitat about 4 streets away.

 

Leave it Mrs Bobs. Nature looks after itself. Don't panic it.

 

Hi, i'm hoping it was a red LEGGED partridge, otherwise you've got a very unusual visitor! red footed partridge live in belize!!

anyway, i'd personally just leave it to sort itself out, unless its going to be at risk from your dog or something? I'm assuming it doesn't appear injured?

gets some photo's too, I don't think we've had a photo of one on here yet!! :D

 

Or a recipe.

 

Yes glenw legged would be right and I've been contemplating recipes myself. Never tried partridge!! It had better have left the garden come morning.

The cat was out in the garden earlier and wasn't remotely interested in it. Hopefully that will be the case with all the other cats round about.

I'll post a picture when I can get it off the camera.

 

Here's the link to the partridge photos. Double click on the photos to enlarge them.

http://www.andywhitfield.me.uk/gallery/gallery.ashx/album/2008-02-27

 

How very strange Mrs.Bobs we found one near our own home yesterday on our walk to the local shop, poor thing saw us and waddled off I did ask hubbie if I should try to catch it but he said I hadn't a hope in hell of getting it.....I was feeling so sorry for the poor thing as it was right near the main road. :eek: Hopefully it found a safe passage across the road to the fields beyond.

Glen I didn't realize that the red legged partridge is a rare find...maybe some local gamekeeper has been breeding them?Hel.xxx.

 

Yes it will be the Red-legged Partridge was introduced to Britain in the 1600s by Charles II, having brought them from France to provide target practice for guns. They are now resident and outnumber our native Grey Partridge in fact the grey is threatend by this invader,try putting some seed out for it.Glen was saying the red footed was rare helen not the red legged.

 

Oooops my bad Walnut! :D Hel.xx.

 

He is still walking about my garden nibbling at plants this morning. I'll give it to lunch time and then will have to make a plan of action as I have work to do out there but don't want to stress it out too much. Might give RSPB a call and see what they think.

 

wow how nice is he :D :D

 

Ok. Partridge update time. I decided to run errands rather than work in the garden yesterday to give the bird time to leave and when I got back I couldn't see it anywhere. Hoorah I hear you say. Unfortunately this morning I look out while making tea and there it is stood in the middle of the lawn. Guess I should get it some seed. Do you think a wild birdseed mix will be fine?

 

What a wonderful sight for you Mrs Bobs, there are a lot of people that would like to see that bird, I am sure, Like Walnut said they are an introduced bird with a harsh chuka-chuka in its voice and they habitat heaths ,fields and downs, will run at the approach of danger, and will fly very swiftly when flushed.

 

Lovely photos Mrs Bobs,I would love to have one of those in my garden,but so would my cat Willow :rolleyes: :D

It ob viously likes your garden,though I expect once the breeding season gets under way it will eithernest in your garden or will look elsewhere