Red-legged Partridge - 2003-07

The county population of red-legged partridge is sustained by annual releases for the purpose of shooting. Those birds which survive the shooting season are able to breed but it is doubtful that a self sustaining population would endure without further releases. Comparing the results of the two surveys indicates a fivefold increase but in the absence of information on the scale of releases, which appears to be unregulated, it is impossible to meaningfully interpret these findings.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads)

large dots = breeding confirmed = 5

Medium dots = breeding probable = 8

Small dots = breeding possible = 12

Total tetrads in which registered = 25 (5.1%)