Golden pheasant spotted at Billingford Lakes near Dereham

A golden pheasant was seen at Billingford Lakes and Country Park in Dereham earlier this week. 

The golden or 'rainbow' pheasant at Billingford Lakes and Country Park (Image: Jane Connolly)

Golden Pheasants are gamebirds native to forests in south and western China and were first introduced to the UK in the 19th century. 

The population has since plummeted and parts of Norfolk are the only places the birds can be found in the country. 

Debbie Bales, who owns Billingford Lakes and Country Park, said: "We've seen him a few times in the past week, they've got an astonishingly bold colour and a few people have spotted one while walking around the park." 

Experts from Biological Invasions said the species is “functionally extinct” in the UK following a study published earlier this year. 

The golden pheasant seen in Sedgeford earlier this month (Image: Julie Murray)

A spokesman for the Norfolk Ornithology Association said: "They disappeared around three years ago and they were known to be at the Wolferton Triangle in west Norfolk." 

Another bird was spotted by Julie Murray in a back garden in Sedgeford earlier this month. 

Have you seen a golden pheasant in Norfolk? If so please email charlotte.houldey@newsquest.co.uk