Cottage Diary - Aspenwood self catering luxury Holiday Cottage overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland.

Recently had a gang of 12 red-legged partridges swarm up the driveway stopping to peck at something tasty in the grass by the side. They have also been spotted wandering casually by the side of the single track road at the bottom of Inverfarigaig hill and we have even had to stop the car while they decide which side of the road they want to eventually aim for. Doing a bit of research I find that this species were introduced from France for shooting purposes some 200 years ago so they are also known as 'French Partridges'. They have a very distinctive voice and we often hear them before actually spotting where they are in the grounds. I guess this clutch was born in June/July and it is quite unusual for such a number to have survived the many predators around in the area. Check out more info and sounds on the red-leg.