Trip reports

THE GREAT BUSTARD PROJECT

Sunday, 23 August 2009

The Great Bustard Project is run by a charitable trust which gives guided tours of the Great Bustard release site to small groups. My group on the second day were met by two wardens and taken by landrover to their site on a farmer's land where their residential caravan and portable visitor centre is situated. Half the group were then taken, again by landrover, to a vantage point where the bustards had been spotted earlier on that morning. The other half remained behind to view a video of the Project narrated by David Attenborough and perhaps to purchase items from the centre.
Initially the first group was unlucky and only saw a kestrel and a wheatear, before returning to the centre when the second group went off to try their luck. After watching the video and admiring a stuffed great bustard a call came through to say the second group had spotted the birds, so we piled into the landrover and hared off. It took some time to locate the birds in the 'scope and even then they were little more than dots; I couldn't have told you they were bustards. It's really down to luck as the previous day's groups had a much better view of four bustards.
We had to leave as another group was expected and it wasn't even midday. so after a quick conflab we decided to visit the Hawk Conservancy Trust for the afternoon. Whilst it might not appeal to the twitchers among us, it turned out to be a very successful afternoon. We were treated to eagles, vultures, peregrine, hawks, kites and owls all doing their thing and an entertaining commentary to accompany the aerial displays. It was good also to be able to see the birds at close quarters - I was particularly taken with the secretary bird and Stellar's sea eagle. We finished the day with tea in the cafe which is always a bonus, especially on a hot day when you are in need of refreshment.