 Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on February 23rd 2023. Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on February 23rd 2023. (© David Hastings) (1/800th sec at f/8. Click image for larger version)  Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Female. Taken on Aston, Oxon., on November 22nd 2022. Female. Taken on Aston, Oxon., on November 22nd 2022. (© David Hastings) (1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version) Description L: 70 - 90 cm (m), 55 - 70 cm (f). WS : 80cm The Pheasant was introduced from Asia as a game bird. The male has many colour forms, ranging from nearly white to almost black in some melanistic examples. These are due to captive breeding and hybridization. The female is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage all over. It can be found thoughout the British Isles. It breeds in farmland with cover such as copses and dense undergrowth, scrubby thickets and conifer plantations. Nests are made on the ground. It is widely bred as a game bird in Britain, with around 38 million being released each year for the four-month shooting season. The effect of this is that birds escape into the wild all the time. The UK breeding population is estimated at 1.8 to 1.9 million pairs. Sightings | 09-Sep-2025 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (7) | | 26-Mar-2025 | : | Sherborne, Gloucs | (2) | | 17-Feb-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Feb-2025 | : | Hawling, Gloucs | | | 29-Jan-2025 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Jan-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) |
| | 05-Nov-2024 | : | Warham Greens, Norfolk | | | 04-Aug-2024 | : | Chantry Hill, W Sussex | (1+2juv) | | 30-Apr-2024 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 26-Mar-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Feb-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Feb-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1f) | | 15-Jan-2024 | : | Buckland Warren, Oxon | (4) | | 05-Jan-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) |
| | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Nov-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (3) | | 22-Sep-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 24-May-2023 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (2) | | 20-May-2023 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 18-May-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 07-Apr-2023 | : | Blowingstone Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Mar-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 27-Feb-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Feb-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Feb-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 30-Jan-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,7f) | | 17-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jan-2023 | : | Buckland Warren, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) |
| | 22-Nov-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1f) | | 31-Oct-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Oct-2022 | : | Flamborough Head, E. Yorks | (1) | | 26-Oct-2022 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | (2) | | 16-Sep-2022 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 30-May-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1f) | | 18-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1m) | | 05-May-2022 | : | Gilfach, Powys | (1f) | | 01-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1m) | | 29-Apr-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2m) | | 23-Apr-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1m) | | 13-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m,2f) | | 05-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1f) | | 03-Apr-2022 | : | Buckland Warren, Oxon | (2m,1f) | | 25-Mar-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1m) | | 23-Mar-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m,2f) | | 19-Mar-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1m) | | 07-Feb-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4f) | | 31-Jan-2022 | : | Wells Farm, Oxon | (2) | | 05-Jan-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,9f) |
| | 24-Dec-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 12-Dec-2021 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (4m) | | 09-Dec-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,4f) | | 29-Nov-2021 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,2f) | | 17-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) | | 11-Oct-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m,1f) | | 04-Oct-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Jun-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1f,3juv) | | 07-Jun-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) | | 11-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 29-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,1f) | | 18-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,7f) | | 14-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,3f) | | 13-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 08-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m,2f) | | 04-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 01-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 31-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m,1f) | | 25-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,3f) | | 17-Mar-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 14-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,4f) | | 07-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,3f) | | 01-Mar-2021 | : | East Hendred Down, Oxon | (6m) | | 28-Feb-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,2f) | | 27-Feb-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (2m) | | 15-Feb-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 10-Feb-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,2f) | | 28-Jan-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2m,2f) | | 23-Jan-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,4f) |
| | 17-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2m) | | 15-Dec-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2f) | | 14-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Nov-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,3f) | | 04-Nov-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 11-Oct-2020 | : | Branthill Farm, Norfolk | (25) | | 10-Jul-2020 | : | Parsonage Moor, Oxon | (1) | | 27-May-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 06-May-2020 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 05-May-2020 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1f) | | 25-Apr-2020 | : | Barton Fields, Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Mar-2020 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (1m) | | 22-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (h) | | 14-Mar-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1m) | | 01-Mar-2020 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (3) | | 18-Feb-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,5f) | | 07-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (2) | | 03-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (1m) | | 02-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (1) | | 01-Feb-2020 | : | Branthill Farm, Norfolk | (1) | | 25-Jan-2020 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (1f) | | 12-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,4f) | | 05-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,1f) |
| | 25-Dec-2019 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Dec-2019 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Dec-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 01-Dec-2019 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 07-Nov-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (6f) | | 03-Nov-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Oct-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6f) | | 04-Jul-2019 | : | Parsonage Moor, Oxon | (3) | | 04-May-2019 | : | Gilfach, Powys | (1m) | | 29-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (3m,2f) | | 28-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (h) | | 19-Apr-2019 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (3) | | 18-Apr-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,3f) | | 14-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2m,1f) | | 03-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2m,1f) | | 28-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2m,3f) | | 24-Mar-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4f) | | 23-Mar-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1m,8f) | | 17-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m,3f) | | 05-Mar-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m,3f) | | 27-Feb-2019 | : | East Hendred Down, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Feb-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4m) | | 17-Feb-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m,3f) | | 14-Feb-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (h) | | 11-Feb-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 03-Jan-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) |
| | 20-Dec-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (3) | | 16-Dec-2018 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Nov-2018 | : | Buckland Warren, Oxon | (3) | | 10-Oct-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jun-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 02-Jun-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2018 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 18-May-2018 | : | Barton Fields, Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 14-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 01-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 28-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Apr-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1m) | | 21-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Apr-2018 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) | | 19-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1m) | | 29-Mar-2018 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1m,5f) | | 26-Mar-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m) | | 25-Mar-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2m) | | 06-Mar-2018 | : | Baulking, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Feb-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) | | 04-Feb-2018 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Jan-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Jan-2018 | : | Tubney, Oxon | (1) |
| | 18-Dec-2017 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (4) | | 04-Dec-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (5) | | 23-Nov-2017 | : | Barnard Gate, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Nov-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 01-Nov-2017 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (3) | | 30-Oct-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 03-Oct-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 30-May-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1f) | | 30-Apr-2017 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1m) | | 19-Feb-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m,5f) | | 04-Feb-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m,2f) | | 22-Jan-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1f) |
| | 28-Dec-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 06-Nov-2016 | : | La Janda, Spain | (2) | | 11-Sep-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2h) | | 21-Aug-2016 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2juv) | | 22-May-2016 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1m) | | 17-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 03-Apr-2016 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2m,1f) | | 25-Mar-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m,2f) | | 13-Mar-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Mar-2016 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1h) | | 23-Jan-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4f) |
| | 29-Dec-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Dec-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) | | 22-Nov-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Nov-2015 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Sep-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 02-Jul-2015 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1+) | | 21-Jun-2015 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Jun-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Jun-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 10-May-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 27-Apr-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Apr-2015 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Mar-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Feb-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 01-Feb-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 11-Jan-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) |
| | 29-Nov-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 22-Nov-2014 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Nov-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 19-Oct-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) | | 05-Oct-2014 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Sep-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (3) | | 30-Jul-2014 | : | Challan Hall, Lancashire | | | 08-Jun-2014 | : | Parsonage Moor, Oxon | (h) | | 03-Jun-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (h) | | 25-May-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 15-May-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Apr-2014 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Apr-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Apr-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1m) | | 09-Mar-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Feb-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Jan-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Jan-2014 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Jan-2014 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) |
| | 29-Dec-2013 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Dec-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (7) | | 30-Nov-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 03-Nov-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 22-Sep-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Aug-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 10-Aug-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Jul-2013 | : | Decoy Heath, Berks | (1) | | 25-Jun-2013 | : | Hickling Broad, Norfolk | (2) | | 08-Jun-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 19-May-2013 | : | Lashford Lane Fen, Oxon | (1m) | | 06-May-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 06-May-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Apr-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Apr-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 14-Apr-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Mar-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 17-Feb-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Feb-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 27-Jan-2013 | : | Lashford Lane Fen, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Jan-2013 | : | Shippon, Oxon | (6) |
| | 18-Nov-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Nov-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Oct-2012 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Oct-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 03-Aug-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 27-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (1) | | 12-May-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Apr-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 11-Mar-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Feb-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Jan-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) |
| | 29-Oct-2011 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Oct-2011 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Oct-2011 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Mar-2011 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) |
| | 07-Nov-2010 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 27-Oct-2010 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) |
| | 20-Dec-2009 | : | Thrupp Lane, Radley, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Oct-2009 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) |
| | 20-Apr-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 26-Dec-2007 | : | Oxford, Oxon | (2) | | 24-Jul-2007 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | |
| | 24-Sep-2006 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | | | 11-Jun-2006 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 25-Nov-2005 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | | | 28-Mar-2005 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 13-Jul-1999 | : | Isles of Scilly | |
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