Find partridges outside of pear trees in Thetford

Although you might have finished singing about partridges in pear trees for another year, let’s spare a thought for these interesting birds!

Two species of partridge are regularly found in the UK. You are most likely to see Red-legged Partridge, an introduced species that is often released for shooting, sometimes in huge numbers. Our other species is the native Grey Partridge. They can be told apart by their ginger face markings and dark belly patch, whilst the larger Red-legged Partridge has conspicuous black face markings and vivid red legs!

Unlike the Christmas carol, it is very unlikely you would ever see a partridge of any sort in a tree. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring meadows, commons and heaths, but most often associated with and seen in agricultural land.

In the fields surrounding Thetford, you are far more likely to see Red-legged Partridge. These days, seeing a Grey Partridge is a rare occurrence. Their population declined by 75% between 1982 and 2007, leading to them becoming Red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern. Modern agricultural practices mean that there are fewer weeds and small insects for Grey Partridge and their chicks to feed on, a problem for many farmland birds.

This isn’t only occurring in the UK, and they have shown declines throughout the majority of their global range. Grey Partridge are among our most sedentary birds, meaning some individuals may spend most of their lives within a few fields.

Some parts of Norfolk remain strongholds for the beleaguered Grey Partridge, particularly towards the northwestern parts of the county. Closer to Thetford, you are most likely to see these birds if you head south-east into Suffolk. The fields around Knettishall are a good place to find them.

Early spring is a great time to look, or rather listen, out for Grey Partridges. Males will begin to advertise for mates by making a raspy, mechanical ‘kerrrr-rick’ call.