Forget those catwalk extravagances – Wiltshire’s Great Bustards are showing some real style on Salisbury Plain this spring.
Males in breeding plumage grow large white moustachial whiskers and become more vividly coloured on their back and tail.
Dave Kjaer, photographer for the Great Bustard Project, caught these stunning images of one of the recently reintroduced males in full display.
Researcher Kate Ashbrook, from our Department of Biology & Biochemistry, is working with the project. She said: “Seeing these birds showing off in all their finery is an unforgettable experience. This is the bird’s way of signaling that he’s in good condition, to both attract potential mates and repel rivals.”
The Great Bustard Project is successfully reintroducing the birds to the UK. The project, assisted by EU Life+ funding, is run by a partnership between the RSPB, the Great Bustard Group, the University of Bath and Natural England.
'Purple 5' is 4 years old this summer - the age when male Great Bustards become fertile. He has been displaying throughout the spring.
David Waters from the Great Bustard Group said: “Spring is the busiest time of year for us. I’ve recently been in Saratov in Russia, working with Russian ornithologists to bring this year’s batch of young Bustards to Wiltshire. Meanwhile colleagues in the UK are working hard monitoring the Bustards previously released on Salisbury Plain.
“Those birds that are already out on the Plain will be on eggs soon, and we hope to see the first wild youngsters by the end of the month.”
The Great Bustard is a globally threatened species that is listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive and is also identified as a priority for LIFE+ funding.
It was formerly widely distributed across large parts of lowland Europe, but started to decline in the 18th century and is now absent from much of its original range. It became extinct from the UK in 1832, and from numerous other European nations over the rest of the 19th and the 20th centuries. It is responding well to conservation efforts and many populations are now increasing.
Visitors are welcome to the great bustard release site to learn about the project and see the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Salisbury Plain. To book a visit phone 07817971327or email the Great Bustard Group.
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