Monday 22nd September 2025: Grey Partridge at Kithurst Hill

We set out today in search of Grey Partridge, conspicuously absent from our annual year list. We had drawn a complete blank at The Burgh a couple of weeks ago, so hoped for better luck today, and on advice from Bernie delayed our walk till late afternoon. This proved to be sound advice and it didn’t take us long to encounter our first covey of birds, many hunkered down like small boulders, but one standing alert showing a distinct black belly and orange-brown head, making identification very easy. 

Around the dewpond, the shrubs were a froth of common farmland birds, and we had great views of Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Goldfinch as they chattered in the trees together. Several Red Kites drifted overhead, and a Kestrel, Buzzard and juvenile Peregrine were all seen well. A flock of Stock Doves in flight added to the spectacle. 

Corn Bunting

At the entrance to a side footpath, we spotted another covey of Grey Partridge, a family group, and we managed to get much closer to these, noting their rufous striped flanks. As I waited for Mr Photographer to complete his work, a White Stork drifted high overhead, then a glossy Raven passed across, cronking softly. In the bushes beside the path a Great Tit, Chiffchaff and flock of Long-tailed Tits moved through, and finally, a gorgeous male Redstart appeared briefly near the trig point. 

In glorious warm sunshine it had been a really lovely walk.

Grey Partridge