The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain Barry Nightingale

Dan Powell

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the recent severe decline in the population of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae in Britain. Possible causes for the decline are outlined, with habitat change, either through human activity or the natural maturation of conifer plantations, being probably the most significant.

his paper reviews the status of Lady Native range and habits Amherst’s Pheasant Chrysolophus amher- Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is a typical forest Tstiae in Britain, from the time of its orig- pheasant, being shy and retiring, and preferring inal introduction to the spring of 2004. It to run for cover rather than take flight. It is best explores possible reasons why this species has located by the trisyllabic song of the male in seemingly slipped into such irreversible decline spring. Its native range encompasses southwest that it could be extinct in Britain by 2010, and China and adjoining areas of southeast Tibet perhaps before. In support of these key objec- and upper Myanmar, where it frequents tives, the paper provides general information wooded slopes, bamboos and other thickets or about the species in its natural range, and dense bushes, often on rocky ground, generally reviews introduction attempts in Britain, between 2,100 and 3,600 m, but locally up to focusing principally on Bedfordshire, where the 4,600 m in Yunnan. Han et al. (1990) identified main British population exists. deciduous secondary forest and bush as the pre-

20 © British Birds 98 • January 2005 • 20-25 The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain ferred habitat in Yunnan, and reported a popu- arrival (Mearns 1988). They were first bred in lation density of 6.2 birds/km2. In China, it is captivity in Britain in 1871. From the outset, considered to be an uncommon species, females were scarce and many hybrids were although this is based on limited data, while its produced using female Golden Pheasants status in Myanmar is effectively unknown. (Howman 1979). Lady Amherst’s is still one of There appears to have been no study of this the most popular choices for pheasant breeders species in its natural range since the 1980s (P. to keep in captivity, and under such conditions McGowan pers. comm.). 6-12 eggs are laid in early April. Birds live in Lady Amherst’s and Golden Pheasants C. excess of 90 months in captivity (Johnsgard pictus are two closely related and genetically 1999), probably less in the wild. similar species, and wild hybrids occur where Various introduction attempts have been the ranges of the two species overlap (Johns- made, but only those in Britain have met with gard 1999). While the population is in no any degree of success. The species was intro- obvious danger, it is perhaps near threatened duced into the Hawaiian Islands in 1931-33, and is close to qualifying for ‘Vulnerable Status’ apparently from captive-reared stock from the (Fuller & Garson 2000). In the native range, USA, but it is not known whether it became threats include habitat loss and fragmentation established. It was also imported into New and, to a lesser degree, hunting, both for food Zealand in 1907, but it is not known whether it and for the attractive plumes. The world popu- was liberated there. There was also an unsuc- lation is perhaps no more than tens of thou- cessful attempt to introduce the species into sands (Madge & McGowan 2002), and is Colombia (Long 1981). decreasing (McGowan & Garson 1995). In Scotland, Lady Amherst’s × Golden Males establish territories (on average 0.08 Pheasant hybrids were introduced at Mount ha) in late March, which they defend vigorously; Stewart (Strathclyde) by the Marquess of Bute display occurs in open forest glades. Males in around 1895, and about the same time by the wander and feed in the forest with 2-4 females Duke of Bedford at Cairnsmore, near Newton in the breeding season, and are thought to be Stewart (Dumfries & Galloway). They were all, polygamous. The simple nest – a round, shallow unfortunately, released with Golden Pheasants, pit lined with dead leaves – is hidden in thickets and the latter soon obliterated the Lady or under dead branches. The eggs are pale buff Amherst’s characteristics. In 1971, some Lady or white, incubation takes approximately 24 Amherst’s were found hybridising with Golden days, and newly hatched young remain in the Pheasants in Galloway; these may have been nest for several hours before being led by the descendants of the original birds or perhaps female to look for food. They do not return to more recent releases. In the 1890s, pure-bred the nest-site. Families conceal themselves in stock was first released at Woburn (Bedford- thickets when they roost; when the young can shire). Lady Amherst’s Pheasants released at fly, they roost in trees. The male takes no part in Beaulieu Manor Woods (Hampshire) in 1925 nest construction, incubation or raising the succeeded for a while, and in the late 1950s they young. The diet of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is were established within a 13-16-km radius of predominantly plant matter, particularly Exbury in the New Forest; 11 were still there in bamboo shoots, but also includes invertebrates 1973, but it is likely that these too hybridised (e.g. earwigs (Dermaptera), spiders (Araneae) with Golden Pheasants. Lady Amherst’s were and beetles (Coleoptera)) and some grain, nuts introduced into Richmond Park (Surrey) in and seed (Yang Lan 1992). In autumn and 1928-29 and 1931-32 (when 24 were released); winter, groups of 20-30 birds may be seen at Whipsnade Park (Bedfordshire) in 1931-32; together, and in the past, groups approaching and Halkyn churchyard (Clwyd) sometime in this size could be seen in Bedfordshire gathering the mid twentieth century. The Clwyd birds at winter feeding stations provided for Common never formed a self-sustaining population and Pheasants Phasianus colchicus. probably died out in about 1998 (N. Hallas pers. comm.). Birds were released at Elveden Captive breeding and introduction schemes (Suffolk) in 1950, and although these were ini- The first two Lady Amherst’s Pheasants were tially successful, they were short-lived and dis- brought into Britain by Lady Sarah Amherst in appeared after a few years (perhaps because 1828, although they died only a few weeks after Golden Pheasants were already well established

British Birds 98 • January 2005 • 20-25 21 The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain there; Lever 1987). Lady Amherst’s Pheasant has first published estimate of the UK population, of since been withdrawn from the Suffolk List 100-200 pairs (Sharrock 1976). The Bedford- (Piotrowski 2003). It was added to the Norfolk shire population was first estimated at 250 birds, List in 1973, following successful breeding at as a result of fieldwork during 1968-77, for the Guist and Quidenham, but there have been only Bedfordshire Bird Atlas (Harding 1979). That a handful of Norfolk records since then, and the project found the species in 32 tetrads in Bed- species was removed from the Norfolk List in fordshire; particular hot-spots included Washers 1986 (Taylor et al. 1999). and Daintry Woods (25 individuals), Chick- sands Wood (10) and Charle Wood (40). This The species’ history in Bedfordshire and last locality was one of the more reliable places neighbouring counties to see the species, and during the 1980s, From their introduction at Woburn (all locali- breeding records from there included 30-40 ties are in Bedfordshire unless stated otherwise) young reared in 1982, 35 in 1983 and 15-20 in in the 1890s, the species spread into woodland 1984. By the mid 1980s, however, the area had along the Greensand Ridge, a well-wooded area become increasingly disturbed by walkers and that runs southwest to northeast across the birdwatchers and, with the trees maturing and southern half of Bedfordshire. Here, the pheas- much of the undergrowth cleared, it had already ants favoured mixed plantations of Scots Pine become more unsuitable for Lady Amherst’s Pinus sylvestris, Ash Fraxinus excelsior and Pheasants. In 1984, more were released at nearby Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, with some Woburn to supplement the stock as they had Beech Fagus sylvatica, Sycamore Acer pseudopla- ‘declined severely’ (Lever 1987). tanus and Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa (Can- The pheasants spread naturally from the nings 1999), and an understorey layer, often of Woburn population west into Buckinghamshire rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum clumps to occupy similar habitat in the woods around on the more acidic soils, and coniferous thicket Bow Brickhill, a distance of some 5 km. The on the boulder clay. Following releases in the population there reached 20 singing males in 1950s, a separate colony also became established 1976, and a small number still exist. Further in south Bedfordshire, in the estate at Luton releases were made at Mentmore (Bucking- Hoo, where again the habitat was rhododen- hamshire) in 1930 (Lack & Ferguson 1993) and dron clumps among conifers. Birds were also a small population remained until the late released at Whipsnade Park in the 1930s, but 1960s. The releases at Whipsnade were thought there have been no records from that area since to be responsible for sightings in the nearby the 1960s. Ashridge Estate (Buckinghamshire), but there Nothing was published about this species in have been no records from there since 1985, or the Bedfordshire annual bird reports prior to from Mentmore since the 1960s. 1971, when it was added to Category C of the In Bedfordshire, the decline was docu- British List. In that year, at least four young mented in the annual bird report for 1987, were seen in Luton Hoo and a pair raised young which stated that the population ‘appears to be at Warden Great Wood, while in the following in decline in most of the former strongholds’. In year a pair bred at Maulden Wood. Since 1971, that year, it is likely that the population was proven breeding has occurred in just four local- already down to around 180 birds. The bird ities in Bedfordshire: Luton Hoo (in seven years report for 1995 warned that ‘the once healthy between 1971 and 2001); Charle Wood (in six population [in Luton Hoo] could well become years between 1979 and 1989); Warden Great extinct in the early years of the next century’. Wood (1971); and Maulden Wood (at least Trodd & Kramer (1991) estimated the Bedford- 1972). At the last site, in December 1991, six shire population to be 100-200 individuals, and first-years with a mature female were also seen this estimate was thought still valid after the indicating that breeding almost certainly took fieldwork for the Breeding Atlas of Bedfordshire, place there that year. Given how difficult it is to during 1988-92 (Dazley & Trodd 1994). By prove that breeding occurred, it is almost then, the Bedfordshire population had con- certain that successful attempts were made in tracted, particularly in the northeast part of the other years, and at other sites. range, and the pheasants were found in only 24 Fieldwork for the first national breeding tetrads, a reduction of 25% in distribution atlas, carried out during 1968-72, produced the between the two local atlas periods. Nonethe-

22 British Birds 98 • January 2005 • 20-25 The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain less, it should be emphasised that this species is private, the song of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is difficult to census, and prior to the 1990s many far-reaching, and all targeted areas could be population estimates in local bird reports, par- covered directly or from adjacent access points. ticularly for those areas encompassing private Just nine males and one female were found, at land, were made by estate workers. Some of seven different localities. The maximum these early estimates may well have been over- number at any one locality was three males. optimistic, while many earlier published records There were no records from Maulden Wood that refer to a number of ‘pairs’ were probably during 2001-03, the last substantiated report based on singing males, with the assumption from Luton Hoo was in 2002, and the last from that each male had one female, and it is possible Charle Wood (of a single male) was also in that there has always been a shortage of females. 2002. It seems likely that the current population The first full survey of this species in Bed- in these two counties is probably no higher than fordshire and neighbouring parts of Bucking- 20 males, with an unknown number of females. hamshire was carried out by the Bedfordshire In Hertfordshire, there are no confirmed Bird Club during 1995-97, and was based on breeding records, the most recent reports being locating males by their distinctive song, which a singing male in March 2004, and an unsub- can be heard at dawn and dusk during the stantiated report in 2003. Both records were spring. Males also make a soft ‘quep’ contact call well away from any known population and were and a sharp, explosive rattle, although this has probably recent escapes or releases (M. Ilett rarely been heard by the author and is generally pers. comm.). Historically, most of the records of little use when trying to find this species. In from Hertfordshire were probably wanderers 1995, 84 males and 29 females were located; in from the Luton Hoo Estate, which lies close to 1996, 68 males and 19 females; while in 1997 the Hertfordshire boundary. only 48 males and 10 females were found. Some of the biggest groups were in four traditional Possible causes of the decline of the locations: Luton Hoo Estate (a maximum of 15 Bedfordshire population males, three females); Maulden Wood (five The Bedfordshire population has survived, males, one female); Woburn Park (ten males, although undoubtedly augmented by further three females); Charle Wood (three males). The releases, from the 1890s to the present day. rest were spread among other woods along the From a relatively healthy population of 250 or Greensand Ridge, of which six males were so in the 1970s, to perhaps less than 20 males found northeast of Ampthill, with the majority and an unknown number of females in 2004, in the woods to the west, between Ampthill and the decline has recently been sudden and dra- Bow Brickhill (Buckinghamshire). Based on matic, yet the causes are poorly understood. In findings in the species’ native range, it was its natural range there is heavy predation of assumed that if each male, taking the maximum adults and young by Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes, found at each site in any one year of the survey, Yellow Weasels Mustela sibirica and Hog had attracted two or three females, then the Badgers Arctonyx collaris, while Red-billed Blue population size could theoretically have been as Magpies Urocissa erythrorhyncha steal eggs from high as 170-340 birds (Cannings 1999). In the the nest when the female is absent (Han et al. author’s experience, however, the proportions 1990). In Bedfordshire, Red Foxes are thriving; a of males and females in Bedfordshire have been mammal survey during 1971-85 found them in quite the opposite, with males heavily outnum- 197 tetrads (53% of all tetrads in the county), bering females. Consequently, it seems more but during a follow-up survey in 1995-99 they likely that the population was more realistically had spread to 297 tetrads, and were the third- 100-125 birds, in line with the estimate by most widespread mammal in the county (M. Trodd & Kramer (1991). McCarrick pers. comm.). It seems likely that By extrapolating the results from subsequent such an increase has had some effect on Lady survey work, the population dropped to around Amherst’s Pheasants, and there is evidence from 75 birds by 1999, and perhaps to just 30-40 by Maulden Wood of predation by foxes. The large 2001. In spring 2004, all woods in Bedfordshire number of Muntjac Deer Muntiacus reevesi in and Buckinghamshire with previous records of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire may have this species, and woods offering potential destroyed some of the understorey that the habitat, were visited. Although some areas were pheasants depend on for cover and nesting,

British Birds 98 • January 2005 • 20-25 23 The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain while predation by Magpies Pica pica and as a golf course, and there have been no records Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis may also from the site since a single male, present from have had some effect. Pressure from over-eager 1997 to 2002. At another site on the Greensand birdwatchers may have also caused some distur- Ridge, which supported up to 12 males in the bance, particularly in the breeding season, and 1990s, a large part of the area was felled for regrettably this is likely to increase as the species commercial timber prior to the 2002 breeding becomes more and more difficult to find. season. In spring 2004, there were just three Being naturally a high-altitude pheasant, surviving males there. In another area, support- Lady Amherst’s should be resistant to cold and ing up to 15 birds in 1991, the population damp, but five dead males were found in Luton crashed after much felling and clearing in 1996, Hoo in heavy snow in January 1982, and several and there have been no records from that site were found dead there after the 1986/87 winter. since 1999. It is possible that winter feeding of Common Change in woodland structure has probably Pheasants helped sustain Lady Amherst’s during been a major factor. Many of the woodlands in the harshest of winter periods, when natural which the species formerly occurred were food would have been at a low level, and that forestry plantations grown for lumber, and con- recent cessation of game management in some sequently were rotated regularly. Starting in the areas may have had an effect on the birds’ sur- early 1950s and continuing into the 1960s, what vival. Nonetheless, there was no game-rearing were considered to be uneconomical broad- in Maulden Wood, where a once-strong popula- leaved woodlands were replaced by conifer tion has all but disappeared, so this would not plantations. These are now maturing and have have been a factor in the decline at that site. far less thicket habitat. Until these woodlands Members of the World Pheasant Association reach economic maturity (60-70 years after involved in captive breeding have not reported planting) and are replaced, there will be a lack any disease outbreaks affecting this species (P. of thicket-stage habitat. Ironically, the trend McGowan pers. comm.), so that seems an may well be to replace them with broadleaf unlikely explanation. plantations, so the situation will have gone full As the population declined, the absence of circle. In addition, more woodlands are being suitable wildlife corridors would in many cases taken out of the commercial sector and being have prevented interchange between colonies. moved over to recreational and amenity use, Small, isolated populations would have become and this in turn is leading to more disturbance unsustainable, with inbreeding probably from human activities. leading to problems of disease susceptibility Some of the more interesting work in Bed- and reduced fertility. This would certainly have fordshire comes from an unpublished study by been the case for the population at Luton Hoo, Pat Cook, a Forest Enterprise Wildlife Ranger, some 25 km from the nearest known group. based in Maulden Wood. This is an area of There is also evidence that, at winter-feeding almost 1.5 km2 and the pheasants arrived stations, Lady Amherst’s Pheasants are aggres- ‘naturally’ as part of their expansion along the sive towards Common Pheasants, and there Greensand Ridge. He found good evidence of may have been some efforts by gamekeepers to Lady Amherst’s Pheasants being there from the eliminate them from game-shooting areas. late 1940s, and several retired forestry workers Although a small population of Golden remember them in ‘good numbers’ in the 1950s Pheasants became established in Bedfordshire, and 1960s. Indeed, members of the public and were found in some of the woods sup- would regularly search the wood for the long porting Lady Amherst’s Pheasants, they died tail feathers after the birds had moulted. This out in the 1970s, with the last record at period coincided with most of the planting in Maulden Wood in 1977 (Trodd & Kramer the northern half of Maulden Wood being at 1991), and therefore cannot be implicated in the thicket stage. Clear-felling of poor quality the decline of their close relative. hardwoods and replanting with conifers began One of the main causes of the decline is in 1951 and was completed by 1975, thus pro- probably habitat change, either natural or viding suitable habitat for a relatively large pop- through human intervention. At Charle Wood, ulation of Lady Amherst’s Pheasants. It is where the population in the 1980s may have possible that there were as many as 50 birds reached 20 males, the area has been developed there in the late 1980s (Trodd & Kramer 1991),

24 British Birds 98 • January 2005 • 20-25 The status of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain but by 1990 the number had dropped to around some useful comments and provided data from the 1995- 20. By 1996, the habitat had matured dramati- 97 survey; Andy Harding, Michael Ilett and Norman Hallas for information about the current status in Bucking- cally, with thicket-stage plantations trans- hamshire, Hertfordshire and Clwyd respectively; Alison formed to pole-staged thinned woodland. Little Harding for arranging access to the library at the Natural thicket plantation remained by 1996 (maybe History Museum, Tring; and Chris Andrew for access to the archives in Bedford Museum. In particular, I wish to 15% of the area that existed in 1975) and the thank Pat Cook for his comments, and for allowing me Lady Amherst’s Pheasants had dropped to a access to his unpublished report regarding the situation in minimum of four males and a single female, Maulden Wood. and a possible maximum of 8-10 birds. The ter- ritories of the males were closely aligned with References the remaining areas of thicker planting of Cor- Cannings, P.1999. The Lady Amherst’s Pheasant.The Bedfordshire Naturalist 53 (2): 68-72. sican Pine Pinus nigra but, interestingly, they Dazley, R. A., & Trodd, P.1994. An Atlas of the Breeding Birds did not move into suitable habitat in the of Bedfordshire: 1988-92. Bedfordshire Natural History southern part of the wood. There were no Society, Bedford. Fuller, R., & Garson, P.J. (eds.) 2000. Status Survey and records from Maulden Wood during 2001-03, Conservation Action Plan 2000-2004. IUCN, Switzerland. but a single male was heard singing there in Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J. B., & Chapman, R. A. 1993. The New May 2004. Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991. Poyser, London. Gregory, R. D.,Wilkinson, N. I., Noble, D. G., Robinson, J. A., Conclusion Brown, A. F., Hughes, J., Procter, D., Gibbons, D.W., & In some cases, Lady Amherst’s Pheasants in Galbraith, C. A. 2002.The population status of birds in Britain have disappeared from sites which have the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man: an analysis of conservation concern 2002-2007. Brit. Birds apparently not changed radically since they 95: 410-448. supported a healthy population. Although Han Linxian,Yang Lan, & Zheng Baolai. 1990. Observations environmental changes have certainly occurred of wild breeding ecology of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant. at some sites, it is more likely that the decline as In: Hill, D. A., Garson, P.J., & Jenkins, D. (eds.) Pheasants in Asia 1989.World Pheasant Association, Reading. a whole reflects a combination of factors with Harding, B. D. 1979. Bedfordshire Bird Atlas. Bedfordshire which this highly specialised introduced species Natural History Society, Bedford. cannot cope. As a non-native species, further Howman, K. C. R. 1979. Pheasants: their breeding and management. K & R Books, Horncastle. releases are prohibited by Section 14 of the Johnsgard, P.A. 1999. The Pheasants of the World: biology Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and many and natural history. Second edn. Smithsonian Institution conservation bodies consider the British popu- Press,Washington, D.C. lation to be of no conservation concern Lack, P.1986. The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser, Calton. (Gregory et al. 2002). It will take a considerable — & Ferguson, D. 1993. The Birds of Buckinghamshire. U-turn to prevent the almost certain extinction Buckinghamshire Bird Club. of this species in Britain and, in the absence of a Lever, C. 1987. Naturalised Birds of the World. Longman, Harlow. more thorough understanding of its decline, Long, J. L. 1981. Introduced Birds of the World. David & that looks extremely unlikely. But there is no Charles, Newton Abbot. doubt that a male Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is a Madge, S., & McGowan, P.2002. Pheasants, Partridges and stunningly beautiful creature, and part of its Grouse. Christopher Helm, London. McGowan, P., & Garson, P.J. (eds.) 1995. Status Survey and attraction to birders is that, because it is shy and Conservation Action Plan 1995-99. IUCN, Switzerland. skulking and lives in dark, dense woodland, it is Mearns, B., & Mearns, R. 1988. Biographies for Birdwatchers. so difficult to observe. It is hard to imagine that Academic Press, London. Palmer, P.2000. First for Britain and Ireland. Arlequin, anyone who has been out at dawn and has been Chelmsford. lucky enough to see this truly mysterious Piotrowski, S. 2003. The Birds of Suffolk. Christopher Helm, species would disagree that its disappearance London. from our countryside will be a significant loss. Sharrock, J.T. R. 1976. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser, Berkhamsted. Taylor, M., Seago, M., Allard, P., & Dorling, D. 1999. The Birds Acknowledgments of Norfolk. Pica Press, Robertsbridge. I would like to thank Tim Sharrock, Sonnie Wing and Dave Trodd, P., & Kramer, D. 1991. The Birds of Bedfordshire. Odell for their help in covering some of the traditional Castlemead,Ware. sites in spring 2004, and Tim and Sonnie for their com- Yang Lan. 1992. The Chinese Phasianids. China Forestry ments on an earlier draft. I would also like to thank Philip Publishing House, Beijing. McGowan for his helpful input; Phil Cannings, who made Barry Nightingale 7 Bloomsbury Close, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9QS

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