Not a grouse after all

Today I got a chance to see clearly the bird that I had previously thought may be a grouse. Instead it seems to be a very dark pheasant. The sun was shining and picked out the glorious feather colours which I feel would make an incredible hat when the bird no longer has use for them.

Where would we be without the internet ... I have discovered he is a Tenebrosus Pheasant.

Often described as melanistic, these Pheasants can appear black at a distance or in poor light, but in the right conditions they show a strong blue, purple or more often green colour.  Odd birds may appear anywhere but some places seem to hold good numbers for a while, presumably where these have been favoured by gamekeepers.