Partridge - not in a pear tree

[Greenmantle]

So all during spring was woken up early doors by a calling that resembled something from Jurassic Park!
Turned out to be Red Legged Partridges. 10 of them spread out in the garden and my adjoining paddock.
Was fun for a while watching them scurrying around (always together) whilst I worked in the garden.
This weekend I sadly found 3 of them dead on the lawn.
Trying to find out what happened. We live in a "Red Kite" Area constantly flying above but never seen them attack anything that large!
Cant be foxes since there was no mess.
Anyone know what it could be. Mother Nature can be quiet cruel.

[Mr Pointy]

Avian Flu? Red Kites don't take anything large & alive as they are mainly carrion feeders. If you have three bodies it might be reportable.

[Turn7]

Bird flu ?

We get them in the garden as well, pretty but what a racket !

Think I’d prefer a peacock lol

[Geertsen]

Maybe someone poisoned them...?

[theplayingmantis]

Some sort of raptor, not a sh*tehawk though

[Equus]

Greenmantle said:

Cant be foxes since there was no mess.

This would seem to rule out any predator (including raptors): there would be feathers torn out all over.

[elanfan]

Lightning