Great Bustards, Corn Buntings and Stone Curlews

A couple of years ago, Jayne and I went down to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, to visit the Great Bustard Project, where we had great views of the birds. Last Monday (7th), we went down again.

As before, we took part in a guided visit, travelling around the site in a Land Rover. We visited the group's hide, where we had fantastic views of a single male bird, displaying to approximately 7 females. This was something we hadn't seen on our previous visit. Over the course of the next two hours, we saw another 2 displaying males and approximately 10 female birds. Great Bustard (137).

Great Bustard (male and female)

Whilst there, we also saw a single Corn Bunting (136), which was surprising, as we'd seen a dozen or so on our last trip. Other wildlife seen were: Red Deer, Brown Hare, Red Kite (including 5 together), Stonechat, Yellowhammer and Buzzard.

Afterwards, we travelled to RSPB Winterbourne Down, where we saw a single Stone Curlew (138), Skylark, Brimstone and Peacock butterflies and a couple of Dotted Beeflies.

Brimstone

Salisbury Plain - Great Bustard - 3rd April 2023

 The main reason Jayne and I travelled down to Wiltshire was to go on a "Bustard Safari" with The Great Bustard Project. We had 2 hours out on Salisbury Plain and managed to see a fantastic drove of 25 birds!! We had great 'scope views at the start of the trip, and then, right at the end, a male flew across the road we were on, and landed approximately 50m away from our Land Rover, allowing some lovely views and photographs.

Great Bustard!!

Whilst on the "safari", we also saw Corn Buntings (including a flock of 13 in one tree!!), Meadow Pipit, Buzzard, Red Kite and Brown Hare.

Corn Bunting (X20?)

Year List Update - 108) Corn Bunting, 109) Meadow Pipit 110) Great Bustard