Are there partridges in England?

Yes, there are partridges found throughout England. The two most common native species are the grey partridge and the red-legged partridge.

Quick Facts About Partridges in England

• There are two native partridge species: the grey partridge and the red-legged partridge.
• Partridges are ground-nesting gamebirds in the pheasant family.
• Partridge populations peaked in the early 20th century but have declined since the 1950s due to agricultural intensification.
• Partridges are still widespread across England but at lower densities than historically.
• Partridges are hunted as gamebirds, with shooting seasons running from September to February.

Native Partridge Species in England

Grey Partridge

The grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is also known as the English partridge or Hungarian partridge. It is a rotund bird with a gray-brown back, chestnut face and belly, and dramatic black and white stripes on its flanks. The scientific name comes from the call, which sounds like “per-dix.”

Key facts about the grey partridge:

• Grey partridges live in farmland habitats across England.
• They nest on the ground in grassy fields and eat seeds and insects.
• Populations have declined by 90% in the last 50 years due to intensive agriculture.
• They are red-listed as a bird of high conservation concern.
• Grey partridges are shot as gamebirds from September 1st to February 1st.

Red-Legged Partridge

The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is also known as the French partridge or Spanish partridge. It has gray and chestnut plumage with a red bill, legs, and eye stripe. The scientific name comes from Greek for “rooster rock bird.”

Key facts about the red-legged partridge:

• Red-legs were introduced from France in the 18th century and naturalized across England.
• They prefer woodland edges, hedgerows, and scrub habitat.
• Red-legs have stable populations thanks to habitat creation and restocking for shooting.
• They are hunted as gamebirds from September 1st to February 1st.

Partridge Breeding, Nesting and Diet

Partridges are ground-nesting birds with a spring and summer breeding season. The nest is a scraped out hollow in a grassy field or meadow lined with vegetation. A clutch of 12-18 eggs is laid, with chicks hatching after 21-23 days incubation. Chicks fledge in 6-7 weeks.

Partridges are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, grains, green foliage, berries, and invertebrates like insects, worms, and snails. Their diet varies seasonally. In winter they rely more on seeds and grains.

Ideal Partridge Habitat

Partridges thrive in a patchwork of habitats offering food, nesting cover, and shelter:

• Grassy meadows and fields for nesting.
• Hedgerows, field margins, and scrub for shelter and food.
• Bare cultivated ground rich in weed seeds and grain spillage.
• Undisturbed nesting areas away from machinery and predators.

Partridge Population History in England

Partridges have lived in the British countryside for thousands of years. Prior to the 20th century, partridge populations remained relatively stable. The population exploded in the early 1900s as agriculture expanded, creating ideal habitat. Numbers peaked in the 1930s-1950s.

From the 1950s onwards, partridge populations crashed as modern intensive farming had negative impacts:

• Loss of nesting habitat and food sources from agricultural intensification.
• Increased pesticide use poisoning insects and plants.
• Loss of winter stubble fields for food and shelter.
• Increased mechanization disturbing nests and habitat.

Partridge populations remain at a fraction of their historic levels despite conservation efforts. They are considered threatened species dependent on habitat conservation and management for hunting.

Partridge Population Trends

Partridge Hunting and Conservation

Partridges are an important gamebird for hunting in England. Shooting partridge provides recreation and food from September to February annually. Partridges are flushed and shot in flight with shotguns when covey hunting across fields.

Due to declining populations, partridges are actively managed to support hunting. Methods include:

• Rearing and releasing captive-bred birds into the wild.
• Providing supplementary food and water on estates.
• Controlling predators like foxes and crows.
• Planting cover crops for food and shelter.

Conservation efforts also aim to help restore partridge habitat and reverse the population declines of native grey partridges in particular.

Conclusion

In conclusion, two species of partridge are native and widespread, though in smaller numbers, across the English countryside today. Partridges thrive in grassy, mixed agricultural habitats rich in nesting cover and food sources. Population crashes due to agricultural intensification have made active management necessary to maintain numbers for continuing traditional partridge shooting.