What is it with the pheasants this year? Normally, they are shy retiring creatures that dart into the undergrowth the moment you approach. This year, the area in the immediate vicinity of the castle is alive with the birds. In short they have taken up blatant residence for the season, with all the shameless boldness of nudists on their designated patch of nudist beach.
I have been subject to two unpleasant attacks from the same vicious male terminator pheasant. Thankfully, he is now more concerned about his rivals than me, and I have seen him in a number of "fights" which can more accurately be described as face-offs with the occasional squawk.
The terminator pheasant has also been chasing Maria the housekeeper's red car. We suspect it's a colour thing.
Today, Craig the roofer, spotted a clutch of 5 eggs at the very front of the castle, together with around 10 chicks and a mother. How many babies does a pheasant have?
We suspect daddy is the bird in the bottom photo, as he was parading around protectively today. He sports a very unusual and beautiful blue bloom on his chest feathers, and is quite the dandy! Terminator pheasant is the standard orangey-brown.
Anyhow, my understanding is that pheasants are too stupid even to breed and baby birds have to be brought in from hatcheries in France every year. Balintore is delighted to buck the trend, and host this prodigious native progeny.
As traumatised as I was by the terminator pheasant, the clutch of pheasant babies made Craig's and my day!
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| clutch of pheasant eggs at the front of the castle |
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| mummy pheasant and two babies |
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| daddy pheasant |
Without a doubt they chose a quiet place to lay their eggs, and the castle is full of life overflowing with blessing, will you be their godfather?
ReplyDeleteOooh free delicious breakfast!
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