It seems a mystery visitor which has been ruffling feathers in the Holme Valley may not be a stranger.

Indeed, it could well be that the Golden Pheasant which has been calling in for tea at homes in Brockholes may have been a local resident for the past two years.

The beautifully-coloured bird has been calling in for a feed at Michael and Julia Connor’s home for the past few days and appears very tame.

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They thought he may have escaped from his owner but other people have now come forward to say they, too, have seen the bird.

Christine Roberts, who lives at nearby Hagg Wood, said: “We have seen the bird about for the past two years.

“We think he lives somewhere in the woods and at one point, we saw two males and a female.

“He seems to have survived a rough winter although we didn’t seem him much over the past few months. He also seems to have evaded any predators there could be out there.

Michael Connor feeds his garden visitor
Michael Connor feeds his garden visitor

“He is very tame and I have been able to feed him by hand. He has popped in many times, having a dustbath in the garden and making a real mess.

“I phone the farm shop at Netherton because I know they have exotic birds but it was not one of theirs”.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds officials claim there are thought to be about 100 pairs of pheasants in the UK. They live in forestry areas in southern England, Scotland and Wales.

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