Great bustards, released as part of an ambitious project that is bringing the birds back to the UK, are causing a stir by conducting their own tours of southern England.
Andrew Taylor, Great Bustard LIFE Project Adviser for RSPB said; “This year’s released birds have been out for eight weeks now, and most are starting to roam more widely around their original release sites. However, some have been rather more adventurous than others! Black Six, named after the numbered black wing tag she carries, was last seen by project staff on the day of her release. She spent a couple of weeks on a neighbouring farm, but then went off the radar. At dawn on 5 November, a great bustard was seen flying south from Portland Bill in Dorset, and then the following lunchtime we received a report of Black Six in a field at South Huish, near Kingsbridge in Devon. She flew north an hour later. This week, 21 November, we received a report of another bustard, this time without wing tags, but with a radio transmitter, on land owned by The National Trust near Langton Matravers in south Purbeck. They certainly are getting around.”
Conservationists are looking forward to seeing where the bustards will fly to next, but are appealing to the public for help.
Trace Williams Great Bustard LIFE Manager for RSPB said: “Of the 17 birds in the wild we are able to track nine directly as they have radio and satellite transmitters. The remaining birds however have no transmitters so we need people who see them, and notice the very visible numbered wing tags, to let us know by calling 01980 671466 or reporting them via the website greatbustard.org.
To read more, visit www.bath.ac.uk/research/news/2011/11/24/bustards-on-tour/ and www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-15826625; to see footage of Black 06 in Devon, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQ_blrTxh8.
