Pheasant: 1st Oct- 1st Feb has a pleasant, mild flavour. Depending on the size of the birds, the hen will usually serve two, the cock 3-4. Younger pheasants are good for roasting, if well barded (layered with fatty bacon) and basted; older birds are better casseroled slowly. Cold pheasant is also delicious.
 Partridge falls into two types:
Grey Partridge: 1st Sept- 1st Feb is also called the English partridge and considered to be the best of the two birds with a fine flavour.
Large French or Red-Legged): 1st Sept- 1st Feb is a slightly smaller bird and more abundant than the Grey Partridge
Allow one partridge per person. Can be roasted for about 25 minutes, or is very good braised as this keeps the meat moist.
 Grouse falls into two types:
Red Grouse: 12th Aug- 10th Dec is considered by many to be the finest game bird for its rich, rounded, gamey flavour and is the most expensive game bird. A plump bird will feed one person. The first day of the season is known as the “Glorious Twelth”
Black Grouse: 29th Aug- 10th Dec is not as plentiful as its red counterpart and can only be found in certain upland areas of Scotland, Wales and England
Grouse is most commonly roasted rare and served simply, without fancy sauces so that its true flavour can shine through. Many tend not to put bacon on the breast as the flavour can overpower the delicate meat, however a short cooking time and basting is recommended. Grouse can be cut into portions and grilled, fried or braised.
Mallard: 1st Sept- 20th Feb is the most common wild duck and one will serve 2-3 people. It has a rich flavour. Ducks are at their best in late autumn and are delicious roasted with a crispy skin or pan fried and served pink.
Pigeon, squab and woodpigeon are available all year and are the least expensive game birds. Pigeons are commonplace in the wild; squabs are farm-raised young pigeons; woodpigeons are the meatiest of the three. Allow at least one bird per person. They have a good, iron-rich flavour and should be quickly cooked and served pink. Pigeon can be tough if grilled or roasted past the pink stage.
These are the most usual everyday game birds but there are some other game birds which live in secluded habitats worth a mention in annual calendar including:
Capercaillie: 1st Oct- 31st Jan
Snipe: 12th Aug- 31st Jan
Teal: 1st Sept - 31st Jan
Woodcock: 1st Oct- 31st Jan | 
