Great Bustard

[Neil Rigby]

In know that the Great Bustard Group (GBG) attempted to reintroduce Great Bustards to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. In 2004, 27 young Great Bustards were imported from Russia and released on Salisbury Plain and another 32 were released in 2005.

Has anyone seen them on Salisbury Plain or anywhere else?

I'm hoping so since the Great Bustard is the heaviest flying bird in the world!

[clydebirder]

Below is a list of all Great Bustard sightings that I know of for 2009.

> 1 near Herriots Pool in fields at North Widcombe, Chew Valley Lake, Somerset on 7 Feb 2009.

> 1 flew south over Herriotts Bridge, Chew Valley Lake, Somerset at 1214 hrs on 7 Feb 2009.

> 2 at Kennard Moor (ST.525.365), Somerset at 1415 hrs on 29 Jan 2009.

> 2 at Kennard Moor (ST.525.365), Somerset on 28 Jan 2009.

> Female at North End Farm, Harbridge, Hampshire on 17 Jan 2009.

> Female at North End Farm, Harbridge, Hampshire on 16 Jan 2009.

> Female at North End Farm, Harbridge, Hampshire on 15 Jan 2009.

> Female at North End Farm, Harbridge, Hampshire on 1 Jan 2009.

Cheers, John

[Neil Rigby]

Thanks John,

Sounds like the Great Bustards are thriving and perhaps extending their range a bit in the UK.

[BristolPaul]

Hi
following this conversation about Bustards - is there a particular place on Salisbury plain that they can be seen regularly?
best wishes
Paul

[Neil Rigby]

I found out that 17 Great Bustards are released onto Salisbury Plain on 25th September 2008.

These were new Great Bustard chicks which were imported in August 2008 from the Great Bustard population in the Russian Federation.

I'll keep you posted if I find out about sightings.

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by BristolPaul

Hi
following this conversation about Bustards - is there a particular place on Salisbury plain that they can be seen regularly?
best wishes
Paul

Viewing can be arranged using the contact details below;

Visits are by prior arrangement only - to make a booking:
• Telephone +44(0)7817 971 327
• email visit@greatbustard.com

[Neil Rigby]

Here's some identification notes from the Great Bustard Group as well as some images to help with identification.

A huge, heavily built and robust bird with adult males having a bulging neck, heavy chest and characteristic cocked tail.

Similar to goose in shape, but far bigger with much longer legs and a straighter neck.

Gait slow and deliberate but capable of fast dashes. Feeding action is a swift pick-up of food from the ground and fast ‘snatching’ of vegetation.

Very wary nature, often to withdraw into tall vegetation but never into bushes or trees.

Flight action noticeably regular and uninterrupted, never glides, beats slow and majestic with rapid progress.

Wings long and deeply ‘fingered’ appearing mostly white. Silent, unless flushed or threatened at very close range then nasal bark sometimes heard.

Plumage
Head and neck pale blue-grey, body and tail rufous brown with black bars, underparts white. Wings mostly white with dark secondaries and primary tips and brown forewing.

Males in breeding plumage grow large white moustachial whiskers (20 cm) and become more vividly coloured on their back and tail, also developing a band of russet coloured feathers on their lower neck and breast, amount dependent on age.

Size
Female Great Bustards can be as much as 50 % smaller than males.

Males
Standing height 90-105cm
Wingspan 210-250cm
Weight 8-16kg but reports of over 20 kg make them the world’s heaviest flying bird!

Females
Standing height 75-85cm
Wingspan 170-190cm
Weight 3.5-5kg

Voice
Adults are usually silent but males can sometimes be heard when fighting in breeding season.

[BristolPaul]

Thanks for the info - I will pursue the link.
best
Paul

[Neil Rigby]

Hi Paul,

Be sure to let us know if you get any information or sightings of the Great Bustard.

Are you interested in the Crane re-introduction into the Somerset Levels at all?

If so have a look at this thread...

http://85.92.86.213/~birdingu/forum/...read.php?t=157