a grey partridge in Malahide?

jra3xneickw79y

Hi everyone. About 15 minutes ago (so about 21.30) I saw an unusual bird (for here) in my garden. (I'm in Malahide, Co Dublin.) My immediate thought was, OMG it's a francolin!?! Then, are there even francolins in Ireland? Hmmm. I googled Francolin Ireland and all that came up was grey partridge. I think the bird did look remarkably similar to a grey partridge by memory, though sadly I didn't get a photo before it walked off. It had a fairly upright walk with a pigeon's head bob.

Grey partridge sightings seem mighty rare and are supposedly local to County Offaly. What's a similar bird that I could possibly have seen...? Perhaps a female pheasant?

Thanks!

whyulittle

Very possible, a number of them were relocated to NCD a few years ago.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/grey-partridge-conservation-takes-flight-in-co-dublin-1.2120030%3fmode=amp

cd07

Escaped guinea fowl perhaps or captive quail of some kind?

DX85

This post has been deleted.

Ulmus

http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/44003/Grey_Partridge.html

On the Irish Birding site a pair were seen in Donabate in March 2012.