The global Great Bustard conservation publication Otis Winter 2011
© GBG Library
© David Kjaer Breeding successes in Russia The new recruits ExciƟng Ɵmes in the skies of Wiltshire as this years birds find their wings and fly The magazine of the Great Bustard Group Issue 38 For Sale and Aftersales of New and Used Agricultural, Industrial, Groundcare and Horticultural Machinery. Web and graphic design www.candotractors.com C&O Tractors, Wilton 01722 742141 www.facebook.com/aa1media
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A word from the Director
suppor ve, as are all those who use the land at the site, but the loca on does not lend itself to any numbers of visitors. As I write I am aware that it is s ll very much early days in respect of this years release, but so far, the results are favourable. At the original Project Site, and at the second release site, an exten- The Great Bustard Group is the UK sive system of monitoring, recording and registered charity and membership organisation formed in 1998 to controlling foxes is underway under the re-introduce the Great Bustard management of Aus n Weldon (introduced OƟs tarda to the UK. later in this issue), and the results are already discernable. Foxes have made their presence The GBG is actively involved in Great felt at the original site, but at the second, Bustard conservation and is working things really could not be going better at this with other organisations, both nationally and internationally to save stage. Only me will give us the full picture, the world’s heaviest flying bird. but the situa on is a very encouraging one.
President David Waters, GBG Founder and Director It should come as no surprise that we should The Rt. Hon. The Lord Tryon seek, and expect, better results from a The big development to report on in this second release site. Releasing Great Bustards Vice Presidents issue of O s is the second release site. The Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes DL into the wild in an organised reintroduc on extra resources from the LIFE+ project are John Chitty CertZooMed. CBiol. MIBiol. project has never been tried before, and we MRCVS really star ng to make themselves felt. The are the only people to have undertaken the Paul Goriup BSc. MSc. staffing and equipment demands of the task. It is natural that our experiences during second site had always been beyond the Trustees the early years should enable us to achieve resources of the GBG alone. David Bond (Chairman) better results as the project develops. Every- John Browning Dina De Angelo Kevin Duncan Simon Gudgeon The loca on of the second one in the project team is looking forward Estlin Waters site is one which I am eagerly to the coming season to see how the obliged to treat as new birds will fare through the winter. Director David Waters confiden al. There has been so much to report on since Our hosts are the last O s. The visit by the Russian school - Contact extremely 1, Down Barn Close, a first for us and them, wind power coming to Winterbourne Gunner, the GBG, the Warminster Art Project, GBG’s Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6JP. UK naked calendar and so on. New and exci ng 01980 671 466 [email protected] work is planned with the A.N. Severtsov www.greatbustard.org Ins tute in Saratov and the Director Mikhail Oparin is keen to expand the scope of the Otis Production Team research into the Great Bustard and will Editor: Suzy Elkins receive the con nued support of the GBG to acheive this.
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Getting naked for charity 3 Contents In this issue
Thank you to Ann Edwards C of E School Meet GBG’s new Project Officer The Austrian Project - and its ‘naked’ Director
05 GBG News 18 Austrian Great 22 Russian school visit New staff, new birds, new Bustard Project to Britain and exci ng bustard Meet Rainer Raab, the Pupils and staff from a Russian merchandise and a rush of Austrian Great Bustard school visit Britain to see how visitors from all over the world. Director. conserva on works in the UK. It’s all happening as the temperatures cool in Wiltshire. 19 Meet GBG’s new 24 International Project Officer 10 Meet David Waters Relations Introducing Aus n Weldon. We introduce you to GBG’s Natasha Karavaeva reports on Project Director. forging links between Russia 20 Shopping with GBG and UK, all in the name of 12 International Shop with GBG for conserva on.
Bustard Christmas, some great new products now in stock to 25 Book Review Conservation tempt you! Estlin Waters reviews a book Nigel Collar reports published over 100 years ago. 21 Staff Update 14 Bustardwatch Updates to the team. 26 Go Bustard! The LIFE+ team update us Lesley Fudge of Warminster on progress as the project Art Trail writes about a picks up momentum and great new ini a ve. begins to see results. 28 Naked for Charity We explain why our staff and supporters are ge ng naked for a good cause!
4 GBG News Russian School Visit GBG would like to extend its thanks to all who helped to make the Russian school visit such a success. Vicky Williams, Commercial Manager (North) of Wilts & Dorset buses kindly donated free tickets for the visitors to see the sights of Wiltshire, the Hawk Conservancy Trust and Paulton’s Park opened their doors to us and we were overwhelmed with support and warm welcomes from Ann Edwards C of E School in South Cerney and St Edmunds Girls School in Salisbury. The GBG has made regular visits to schools in the Saratov region and has developed a strong relationship with School Number 1 in Krasny Kut, the closest town to the Field Station where the bustards are raised. Two pupils and two teachers from this school visited the UK side of the Great Bustard project on a trip organised jointly by the GBG, AA1 Media and Badger School International and were assisted by a grant through St Edmunds School in Laverstock, Russian teachers Natasha and Angela with St Ann Edwards Headteacher Stephen Richardson Salisbury. Read more on page 22. Great Bustard breeding program Austrian Project The importance of being able to breed Great Bustards in captivity has always been The previous issue of Otis mentioned the recognised by the GBG. It was with delight that we learned of the big steps taken by trip some project members made to visit Moscow Zoo earlier this year. A simple but controlled management plan gave males the Austrian Great Bustard Project. This access to female Great Bustards, but only for limited periods, and a total of 8 eggs time it is to report on a visit to the UK by were laid. Two of these were fertile and one of them the head of the Austrian project. hatched. Sadly the chick hatched before it had fully Rainer Rabb, and his two sons, Reinhard absorbed the yolk sac and this lead to an infection which and Maximillian were hosted by David and killed the chick a er some 10 days. Nevertheless, the hatch- Karen Waters and Allan and Julie Goddard ing of a chick is a significant result and more can be expected during their visit to the UK. They were next year. The curator of birds at the Moscow Zoo Breeding shown the Project Site and the way visitors Centre is Pavel Rozchov and he leads their work on the Great are hosted without causing disturbance to Bustards with his wife Tatiana. They were pleased to tell us the birds themselves. This aspect of the that their daughter Veronica also had a successful breeding work of the GBG was of particular interest project of her own this year. (Right) to Rainer and is an area where there may be some future developments in Austria. Rainer and his sons were also able to join in the final cycle ride and barbeque to mark the end of the Cycle to Saratov event.
Rainer with Paul Goriup & Allan Goddard Pavel Rozchov with GBG Project Director David Waters
5 GBG News
Healthy new chicks arrive in Britain The GBG imported 35 Great Bustards in early August. Many of you will recall the huge fires that swept across so much of western Russia last year and covered the airport in choking smoke. It was a far The Great Bustard Group’s photographic more pleasant trip this year with the birds experience days have been a huge success arriving at Moscow's Domodedovo with three dates all being booked up and airport to be met with a glorious sunrise. great feedback received from all the photog- A vehicle was hired for the Saratov Oblast raphers. The days started at 10am when the Government vehicle pool to get us as far visitors were met at the entrance to the Hawk as Moscow as the van we had used in Conservancy Trust in Andover by a member previous years was judged to be getting of the GBG team and Professional photogra- on in years, and something of a risk when pher Dave Kjaer. They were granted special years worth of hard work was being access to the UK’s only Great Bustard transported with the fixed deadline. enclosure where Dave advised them on All the birds took the two day journey in their stride and were safely accommo- dated in the GBG quarantine unit on
Salisbury Plain late on the night of 4th (Above) Saratov to Moscow (Right) Moscow sunrise August.
A wonderful wind turbine New release site The GBG office on Salisbury Plain is a and a light or two. To cover the windless With the increased resources from the wonderful place to work. The former days, which are rare on Salisbury Plain, the LIFE+ Project we have been able to use a mobile home was kindly given to the system will charge a bank of ba eries which second release site for the first time this project in 2006 and has been slowly will keep us going for a day or two. year. Its location is not being revealed as evolving since then. One reoccurring the site does not lend itself to visitors. problem has been getting a reliable supply The GBG is, as always, indebted to Charles The GBG is delighted to be able to report of electricity. The existing set up does give and all the volunteers involved in this that at the time of writing the new site is us a reasonable supply for most of the project, and of course the RSPB for donating giving every indication of being very time, but when it fails it can take quite a the equipment. successful indeed. The progress of the while to get back on stream. Being as we birds there is being monitored by the are dependent on computers these days, whole LIFE + team with the University of work virtually ceases without electricity. Bath and RSPB as well as GBG checking We can always find a gas heater or two for on the birds on a very regular basis. the winter, but this does not help with More details can be found in Bustard- computers. watch from page 14. The original Project Site is still in use, and this years birds A step forward has been made with the were split between the two sites. The donation by the RSPB of some unwanted original site marks the first place where wind turbine generators equipment. David Great Bustards have been released as a Waters and Charles Hibberd travelled to an part of a sustained reintroduction RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels to programme. The new site reflects all the collect the small wind turbine and all the information and experiences gained by associated equipment. Preparations are the project since 2004. underway to get everything installed on All the project partners are grateful to the Plain. The small wind turbine should those at the new site who have made give enough power to run our wireless the release of Great Bustards there Internet, a host of laptops and computers Charles Hibberd possible.
6 GBG News
Successful veterinary trip to Saratov by train. The main purpose of this annual trip is to check the health of the bustards raised during the year, to examine any unhatched eggs or dead chicks and to collect the samples and swabs which need to John ChiƩy performs the health checks be tested in the UK before In July David Waters was joined by the the birds may be imported. regular team, John Chitty (GBG Consul- In addi on to assis ng John tant Vet) and Ruth Manvell (Virologist) and Ruth with this work, Jill also on the pre import trip to the Field Sta on collected samples of egg shells for at Diakovka. The party was also joined by tes ng in Texas. The type of detailed Professor Jill Heatley, a friend and analysis planned for these samples has never colleague of John's from Texas A&M been done on Great Bustard eggs and may (Above) Prof Jill Heatley joins the team University. They met a rather jet-lagged show levels of pollutants or other chemicals Prof. Heatley at Moscow airport and, at levels not apparent by cruder tes ng. results and any resultant publica ons with a er a day to recover and to see some of All Great Bustard samples need CITES export all the par es concerned. The pre-import the sights in Moscow, met with John and permits before they can be exported, and health tests on the samples were carried Ruth the following day and headed South agreements have been made to share the out in the UK and all results were nega ve.
New GBG jigsaws No escape for Ruth! now in stock been dragged along to countless bustard A great new range of merchandise has been events, have sat through endless bustard added to the GBG shop including some very discussions at their home, and endured challenging jigsaws. Made by Wentworth the unique and powerful smell of from superb quality wood and with rare bird bustard droppings as their house and shaped pieces interspersed, this range of family cars have been used to give puzzles is perfect for Christmas, making the temporary shelter and transport for ideal gi for any bird lover. recovering bustards over the last 8 years. O s reader Rita Smithson of Thatcham in Both Ruth and Ellie are Life Members of Berkshire kindly completed one of these The GBG consultant vet, John Chitty is the GBG and are keen supporters of the jigsaws and sent us a photograph to inspire well known to all within the GBG. What project, but in September Ruth le others and prove that they can be done! is less well known however is the home to go to University to read Biology support GBG receives from his whole (and presumably to get away from family. John's wife, Kate, (lso a vet with bustards). A er the tradi onal first week her own prac ce) o en stands in for of fes vi es and settling in Ruth sat John, dealing with any injuries, sickness down with enthusiasm and high expec- or other problems with either the wild ta ons for her first lecture. To say she birds or the cap ve flock. Kate is also was a little dismayed to be shown the licenced as an official quaran ne vet GBG Great Bustard film and be given a and covers these du es. The family project to do on the Great Bustard would commitment to the bustards goes be an abuse of the understatement! wider s ll as John and Kate have two daughters, Ruth and Ellie, who have
7 GBG News
Successful census in Russia census is a part of the agreement the GBG years (now at 10 km by 20 km) which gave a more has with the A.N. Severtsov Institute of sensible area for a days censusing. David was able Ecology (Saratov Branch). The autumn gives a to visit some new sites for the first time and unique chance to see the flocks of females managed to find some Great Bustards every day. with the young of the year before they head The lowest count was two (and that was an awful south west to avoid the worst of the winter lot of searching for just two birds) and the highest weather, and it is a time when the adult was 138 birds. The census will be written up by females can be distinguished from the male Mikhail and the results summarised in the next and female chicks of that year. This informa- Otis, but on casual inspection the figures look to tion can give a good indication as to the be good. productivity of the year with the numbers of One change in the landscape was the huge chicks being compared with the numbers of amount of Sunflower grown this year in Saratov. adults. Mile a er mile of Sunflowers were found A slight gamble with attempting a census at covering the better part of some of the quadrats. this time of the year is the weather - rain In itself when growing, the crop does not offer makes the fields impassable. Luckily the much to the Great Bustard, but when harvested weather held dry until the evening of the the stubble gives a good winter feed crop (and is Mikhail Oparin during the census final day for David and the steady rain during much favoured by wintering Great Bustards in David Waters joined Mikhail Oparin and his the homeward journey showed how lucky he Ukraine). It will be interesting to see if the huge staff for the annual Autumn Great Bustard had been. acreage of Sunflower will attract Bustards to stay census in Saratov at the end of September Under Mikhail's direction the census in Saratov this winter. and the first week of October. Supporting the quadrats were half the size used in previous
Saratov Business School talk Big Visitors David Waters was invited to speak to the students and client of the Saratov Business School when During the first week in October the GBG he was in the area for the Autumn Census. The lecture and subsequent discussion groups were hosted a group of visitors from the Essex held to develop links between conservation initiatives and the business world and to give some of Bird Watching Club. It is always super to host the businessmen and women learning English a chance to test their language skills. It is hoped the visitors who are willing to travel for long evening will be the first in a series. distances to see the bustards but what Another chance to link the business and conservation worlds came through Badger School made this trip special for the GBG was the International, the language teaching school directed by Anastasia Barsukova, the GBG numbers. A 50 seater coach was booked for translator/interpreter and representative in Saratov. Anastasia and David met with a local the visit and 38 seats were filled. This was by construction company who were receptive to proposals for contributing to both conservation far the largest group the GBG had ever education projects and assisting with the costs of direct conservation work. Both of the these hosted in one go. Lynne Derry, the GBG avenues will be actively explored in the coming months. Visists Manager, worked out a tight logistical plan with Colin Maddocks, John Mackenzie- Grieve and David Waters variously driving the vehicles or explaining the workings of the project under Lynne's precise time keeping. The day was judged a great success by both the GBG and by the Essex Bird Watching Club. The GBG may now advertise its ability to host coach trips and hopefully this new capacity will help promote and raise funds for the project. Our thanks to the Warden of our local church for allowing the coach to park there.
David spoke with the students and caused much interest among the groups
8 GBG News
Goodbye (again) Caption Competition old friend
Our much missed Range Rover In the last issue of Otis we covered the sad depar- ture of one of the project vehicles. The Range Rover, which was donated by Peter Raven, was wrongly depicted in the photo accompanying the This picture shows Torsten Lanngemach (Head of the German Great Bustard Project), news item. The Range Rover is shown above GBG’s Farm Liaison Allan Goddard and Chris Davis MRCVS at a recent project Techni- during its service with the GBG. We are extremely cal Working Group. Someone has seemingly said something doubtful, but what grateful to Peter Raven for his kind and generous captions can you come up with? The best caption received by post or email will be support and apologise for the previous error. printed in the next edition of Otis and the winner will receive an Emma Bridgewater mug. Email offi[email protected] or post your suggestion to Caption Competi- tion, 1, Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Wiltshire, SP4 6JP.
DEFRA indecision Write to us Following on from the visit to the project by cleared, but nothing close to progress has the DEFRA Minister (as reported in Otis 37), been possible. Despite the requirements of an was a visit by the staff of the DEFRA Wild EU Directive on the ma er, the general result Birds Policy Unit. A er some confusion over from the meeting was the explanation that no the location of the project they eventually additions could be made to a law until an old arrived. They then surprised the project staff law was dispensed with. This was a new and by seeking confirmation as to the identity of different response to the question which had the flock of birds running around in the farm been asked so many times before. yard on the way to the GBG office. The The GBG will continue to press for the UK's distinguished advisors were reassured the rarest breeding bird to be given the higher Suzy Elkins - Otis Editor flock was not composed of Great Bustards, levels of legal protection. We would love to hear your views on Otis but of Guinea Fowl. magazine, the topics discussed within and all The main point of discussion was how to get conservation or Great Bustard ma ers. Otis the Great Bustard the higher level of legal Editor Suzy Elkins can now be contacted protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife directly on [email protected] or by and Countryside Act. This has been an on post at 1, Down Barn Close, Winterbourne going struggle by the GBG since the project Gunner, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6JP. Your started. Various objections, excuses and le ers will all be read and some of the best hurdles have been offered by DEFRA officials will appear in future editions of Otis, so if and ministers from two governments. The you’d like your views aired please get in touch specific hurdles have been addresses and now or use our feedback form on the website.
9 Meet GBG’s Director
David Waters Director of the GBG, Countryman and Speaker
(Above andPaul inset) is keenDavid to fi lmingput his with extensive Dr Manuel experience Hinge to(Below) good useTwo for of David’sthe Great dogs Bustard Zulu and Group Roan
Elizabeth Grant meets David of this big, bluff, affable man, who gave us a his me there, thought for a moment before Waters, Director of the GBG. half hour talk - without notes – on the big quo ng one of his heroes, Winston Churchill: Readers of this magazine and members of bird which appears on the Wiltshire Coat of “I loved learning but I hated being taught.” the Great Bustard Group will be familiar with Arms, with the aid of his stuffed travelling He admits that he found lessons boring and the public face of David Waters, the Group's sidekick, Hercule. At the end of the evening, as a teenager was something of a rebel, founder and Director. there wasn't much we didn't know about the ending up as the only punk in the school! He large, charisma c bird with the rather rude- had boundless energy and his real interests We have seen photos of him, read ar cles by sounding name. But what do we really lay in the great outdoors, rather than what him, and many of us have met him at various know about David himself? What went on inside the classroom. fund raising events held throughout the year. makes him tick? And where did all My first encounter with him was a couple of this enthusiasm and passion for He had always been interested in wildlife, years ago when he was guest speaker at a these great birds come from? birds in par cular, and his ambi on was one mee ng of the garden club I a end. We, day to become warden of a bird reserve “Or who knew next to nothing about bustards I visited David at his home near Salisbury just something like that.” His imagina on was (Great whats? murmured my before he left for his latest trip to Russia to s rred by the story of the Great Bustard, one puzzled neighbour) find out a li le bit more about him. of the heaviest flying birds in the world, were most which once roamed the open spaces of impressed by the Like me, you may have assumed that David is England, but which was now ex nct in the Wiltshire born and bred, but in fact he is of energy and wild in Britain. He became aware that a enthusiasm Welsh stock, being born in Cardiff and only small flock was living in a large penned area moving to this part of the world on Ministry of Defence land on Porton Down, when he was three years under the auspices of an organisa on called old as a result of his the Great Bustard Trust, headed up by the father being Hon. Aylmer Tryon. He wrote to the Trust, offered a job in who were amazingly welcoming to this 13 Southampton. year old, and soon he was a regular visitor to He a ended Porton Down, helping out and learning school in everything he could about bustards. Eventu- Romsey ally, the Trust made him a life member. He and, when couldn't know it then, but his future was asked if he thereby set. had enjoyed
10 In the grounds of the Kremlin with a Goshawk belonging to the Kremlin Guard
The objec ve of the Trust was to rear in At the police sta on where he worked, he Studying bustards in Austria cap vity chicks from Portugal or Hungary had met Karen, who not only shared his then to encourage them to breed. However, interests in conserva on and wildlife, but this cap ve breeding programme proved also seemed interested in him. David had unsuccessful and in 1989 the surviving birds found his life partner, and it seemed that were transferred to Whipsnade Animal Park opposites really do a ract, for where David in Bedfordshire, where the last bird died in describes himself as more of an ideas man, 1999. keen to get on with things and make them happen, Karen excels at planning and organi- Meanwhile, the young David had le school sa on, taking care of prac cal ma ers, and and joined the Army, a career which suited thus allowing her husband to spend his me him perfectly, allowing him to indulge his love fundraising and travelling, giving talks and of the great outdoors, “running around in the a er dinner speeches. They play to each woods, making loud bangs.” He was other's strengths, so that a er a while he was immensely disappointed when a serious able to work part- me, then, as the Group knee injury ended his promising career and grew, to leave the Police altogether and Filming with Dr. Manuel Hinge he was discharged on medical grounds. concentrate all of his considerable energies on his beloved bustards. Nothing daunted, he joined the Wiltshire Constabulary, becoming a rural police officer What the Great Bustard Group has achieved and was subsequently posted to Amesbury. in a rela vely short period of me is nothing Out on the beat one day, he passed the house short of amazing. Thanks to the partnership belonging to Aylmer Tryon and popped in for established between the Group and its a chat, catching up on all the latest bustard Russian partners, the Great Bustard once news. A er that he visited Aylmer whenever again struts its stuff on Salisbury Plain. The he was passing and this went on for some work goes forward apace and the dream of me un l Aylmer's death and the ensuing the young teenager is a dream no longer, but wind-up of the Trust in 1998. This could a fact. But what lies ahead for David, have spelt the end of the line for bustards in himself? Britain, but David decided that if the Great Bustard Trust had to go, he'd be er form Well, who knows, but he has recently something similar, and so the Great Bustard become involved in the making and present- Group came into being. ing of wildlife films, and with his gi for narra on, coupled with his endearingly Their aim was to reintroduce the Great boyish exuberance, it occurs to me that he Bustard to Britain, but with few members, no bears more than a passing resemblance to resources to speak of and hardly any money, another, at present rather more famous, the project surely seemed doomed to failure. David, a fellow wildlife enthusiast. I wonder Well, you'd think so, but, if nothing else, if we might just be looking at the next David David loves a challenge, and besides, by now A enborough? Watch this space. An anƟque bustard gun from the 1700’s he had a secret weapon.
11 Bustards and their conservation
International Bustard Conservation By Nigel Collar
Think bustards, think grasslands: been the barriers to their study by ecologists, Natural grasslands are such obvious targets their fates are intertwined. Africa the one group of people most likely to be for human ambitions, being land that needs is the bustards’ main home, just able to help them keep a place on the planet nothing more than a plow or a starter herd of as it is the main home of the in the new era of environmental destruction livestock to turn into a valuable source of world’s grasslands: some 18 we are coming to call the Anthropocene. food. And the production of food is never an species are confined to the easy thing for conservationists to oppose, in continent’s tropical regions. Their basic message to us is, part because there are commonly so many however, very simple to grasp: so mouths to feed, in part because the Three species are exclusive to the Palearctic, long as large tracts of open grasslands to be converted are, to begin with three to the Oriental region, and one to grassland survive, there will be at any rate, seemingly so limitless, and in part Australasia. But widespread as bustards are, bustards. because most species of wildlife, even the and wide open though their habitats be, bustards, seem to be able to persist in the The message comes to us as the inverse of widely known they are not. Being among the initially altered landscapes, albeit in reduced what we see happening to them: such is the largest of grassland birds they are also, numbers. In some cases and contexts, modern pressure of human demands on inevitably, a magnet for predators. So their indeed, low-intensity farming may well have open spaces like grasslands that five of the 25 guiding principle for survival has always been helped the bustards—think back two centu- species of bustard (20%) are already threat- prudence: crypsis, vigilance and stealth have ries to the German children being given the ened and five (20%) are Near Threatened, cut for them a narrow, secret passage day off school to drive Great Bustard OƟs proportions that are way above those for through millions of years of evolutionary tarda flocks from the cabbages, and to the birds in general (12% and 8% respectively). history that has led them virtually intact farmers in Spain who once complained loudly However, in many parts of the family’s range down to the present. Unfortunately, of about bustards in their bean fields. the notion of large tracts of open grassland is, course, the very shyness and caution that alas, something of a pipe-dream these days. have been their long-term saviour have also
12 It is the intensifica on of farming that really rice produc on. In India the Great Indian makes the difference. Mechanised irriga on, Bustard Ardeo s nigriceps has this year pes cide spraying and harves ng all create joined the Bengal Florican on the Cri cally disturbance, which no bustard likes; the Endangered list as a result of increasing spraying destroys the varied food-base of the conversion of grassland to crops and the birds; and the harves ng destroys their eggs overrunning of nature reserves by land- and young. hungry farmers.
LiƩle by liƩle the birds disappear, There are of course many other twists of the probably not by moving to other knife. Crops are increasingly being fenced off areas so much as by failing to and pastures fenced in, none of which reproduce themselves in their favours bustards (Great Bustards can suffer ancestral areas, to which they terribly with barbed wire fences). The frequently show great aƩach- balance of livestock is shi ing increasingly to ment. cattle, whose impacts on grassland compared to sheep can be severe. However, too much This is at least what we think is happening to grazing by any animal is a serious problem for the Great Bustard throughout its range, and wildlife, and in the broad desert fringes in to its sympatric companion the Little Bustard North Africa and Central Asia the Houbara A predated bustard Tetrax tetrax. Something like this is now Bustard Chlamydo s undulata has to contend driving the precipitate decline of the world’s with unrealis cally large herds of livestock the various markers intended to make the largest popula on of the Bengal Florican degrading its fragile habitat. On top of that wires more visible, birds are dying in droves. Houbaropsis bengalensis: the floodplain of there are other, new land-uses emerging: in This is now happening on a frighteningly the Tonle Sap in Cambodia used to be a great the glorious landscapes of south-west Iberia, large scale to Ludwig’s Bustard Neo s ludwigi expanse of non-intensive pastures and for example, huge areas have been given in South Africa. seasonal ricefields, and across it there were over to solar farms, while others are flooded hundreds and perhaps thousands of for essen al water storage. Then, cu ng a Finally, there is hun ng. The biggest vic m to floricans, but in the past few years—only swathe across many of these landscapes date has been the Houbara, which has since the turn of the century- come the powerlines which are so deadly to suffered terribly from excessive Arab falconry agrobusinesses apparently from the Middle large, heavy and therefore fast-flying and throughout its range, but there is now East and China, aiming to provide long-term unmanoeuvrable birds like bustards and increasing alarm for the Nubian Bustard food security for their countries, have been swans. All over Europe these cables criss- Neo s nuba, the ecological counterpart of taking over the land at an astonishing speed cross plains where bustards live, and despite the Houbara on the south side of the Sahara, and conver ng it to industrial-scale irrigated in the Sahel, with reports that Arab hun ng par es have already exterminated it en rely in Mauritania. Cap ve breeding and some enlightened habitat conserva on will see the Houbara through, but the Nubian Bustard lives mostly in areas beyond the reach of conserva on. The same is true of the Arabian Bustard Ardeo s arabs, which has much the same range. These birds are now so hard of access that gathering the data that can tell us how to manage their dwindling popula ons represents a fearsome challenge to conserva- on biologists—one of many they will have to rise to if the bustards are going to keep their place in the steppelands and savannas of this increasingly overcrowded planet. Kori bustard in flight
13 Bustardwatch L
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A very successful trial r o
d Tracé Williams reports on the second release site u c in g
One of the aƩrac- th rd e ta Ɵons of the new Great Bus release site was that the farm has regularly been visited by Great Bustards over the years, and has been the favourite place of our oldest surviving bird O15 who was released in 2004. The bustards have taken to their new habitat admirably During our visits to the site to plan where the so -release pens would be located, O15 was the end of the week she would simply hide birds came out within ten minutes; they regularly seen, even in the very field that was between the decoys. Thirteen birds were found the food we had sca ered outside of eventually chosen! released on September 15th. Once the doors the pens and then started to explore the of the so -release pens were open, all of the field. The field selected was 20ha (49acres) and had been sown with a mixture of fodder rape and stubble turnips, so the so -release pens would be constructed upon this crop to provide the birds plenty of food over the coming months.
Even though there is regular control of foxes at the new site, as well as on the surrounding farms, we s ll needed to provide a secure yet temporary enclosure and finally decided upon 1.1m high electrified poultry ne ng with an addi onal single steel wire around the outside of that to deter foxes. We fenced the en re field – only the best for our birds!
Outside of the release pens at some distance to them was located an automa c feeder distribu ng pelleted food. In addi on, several plas c bustard decoys were situated in the release field near to the feeder. The func on of these, along with a whole field of food, was to ‘home’ the birds to the site, so that they could grow and exercise in a safe environment. We also hoped that O15 would stay around for them to learn from.
The birds were moved into the so -release pens for one week (see page 16). From day one, O15 was always on site just outside of the release pens. Ini ally she would fly off when the birds in the pen were fed, but by The bustards pre-release
14 Andrew Taylor and Tracé Williams joining nets for use in the soŌ release pens
Over the following week there were many forming another group. There have been area, but hopefully when they do, O15 will go excursions outside the release field; birds some spectacular flights seen; one morning with them to pass on the secret of how she would fly out and explore the stubble fields, just a er the fog had li ed all the birds were has survived all these years. then walk back. The immediate success has standing in a line facing the sun, a er a short been that the birds have ‘homed’ to the site, feed one took off and circled high overhead so when they have spent me outside the before landing back down close to the others. field they have wanted to get back to the The amazingly hot days we saw in late others inside. Unfortunately we learnt a September found the birds loafing around harsh lesson with this behaviour, as one bird feeding and preening, with very li le move- was found dead having become tangled in ment. During the third week a er release the perimeter ne ng – trying to get back in. there was lots of movement, Red Kites Our immediate response was to open up a caused all the birds to leave the field one length of ne ng first thing in the morning, evening and different young birds have spent closing it again in the evening. To date we the night outside the pen with O15 usually in have had no further deaths here. the middle of a stubble field. During the evening checks it was wonderful to see a For most of the first week, there were two drove of bustards walking back across a groups of birds; O15 spending me with a stubble field with the sun se ng behind group of four males, the other eight birds them. Who knows when they will leave the A new release - free for the first Ɵme
15 Bustardwatch
Bustard releases 2011 Andrew Taylor reports on a successful year
On 4th August, condition certainly appeared to have paid off, releasing inexperienced young birds, and we just before mid- with birds looking markedly better than in hope that the birds remaining together as a night, 35 young 2010. large group at the release site will benefit Great Bustards from safety in numbers once they start to arrived at our Release explore the surrounding countryside. quarantine facil- On 15th September at 9am, we quietly ity after their approached the pens and opened a side This was the second release within the LIFE+ two-day journey panel in each, to allow the birds to wander project but the first to be influenced by the from Saratov in Russia. out at their leisure into the larger release pen resources of LIFE+, so for the new staff and freedom. They certainly were very working on the project it has been a relatively A number of improvements awaited them, as leisurely about the process – indeed some new experience. There have been many part of our attempts to improve the feather did not leave the so release pens all day! challenges over the last few months since the condition of released birds. For the first time Black 1 led the others out, and by early new birds arrived, but at the time of writing the quarantine pens were partly roofed, to a ernoon we had seen the first flight, Black 6 in October we are optimistic that the changes keep food dry, and each had at least one circling high above the release pen before we have made have had a positive effect at window. This was the first time that birds in landing back inside. We had already this crucial time of year. quarantine had been able to see their observed that Black 6 had superb feather surroundings, and it seemed to make them condition, and she also turned out to be by much calmer. We also removed drop nets, far the most adventurous – she le the pen which may have been responsible for feather for good on day two and has since been abrasion, from around the perimeter of the spending her time a few miles from the site. pens. The remainder of the birds stayed together, Soft release and for the first few weeks, aside from brief Unfortunately a small number of birds were forays into adjacent fields, stayed in the lost or disabled during the quarantine period, release pen with the two adult males. While with injuries associated with keeping a large the younger and older birds never seem to be and powerful bird in a confined space. This far apart, there has been little direct interac- meant that as we reached release time, 30 tion between the two. The so release birds were available to be moved into so period appears to have been successful, release pens. These pens were also different helping to tie the birds to the site where they in design to previous years, with wire mesh can practise flying in relative safety from around the outside and so ne ng on top. predators. Equally important is the ample The 16 bustards which remained at this site supply of food in the release pen. Two plots were split between three pens in the same of oil seed rape, sown a month earlier than groups as in quarantine, but for the first time commercial crops, have grown vigorously they were able to see the other groups of thanks to the expert work of Allan birds. Even the two adult bustards in Goddard, and could supply food to the residence, Purple 5 and Pink 2, became used bustards throughout the winter if they to the routine. At the beginning of the so remain in the area. We also have an release period, they flew away each morning automatic feeder supplying pelleted when the young birds were fed, but by the food, but this has been unused – end of the week they did no more than the bustards much prefer the rape. wander calmly away. Final checks of feather There have been some casualties, condition the day before release did not due to fox predation and a collision reveal any birds which should be held back, with a fence. This is an unfortunate so all sixteen were released as scheduled. but expected part of the process of The efforts we had made on feather
16 Monitoring By Kate Ashbrook
With this year’s birds being released only a short time ago, the monitoring team has been working hard to keep tabs on the birds at and around the release sites.
This year, thirty birds were released, being split into two groups; one group went to the long-term Project Site and the other group Bustards feeding at the Site went to a new release site. This is the first year that birds have been released at two sites; it is hoped that birds will become established at this new site and form a Professor Juan Carlos Alonso fiƫng harnesses assisted by David Waters second sub-population, with movement of birds between the two sub-populations. The A er the quarantine period was this will allow quick and easy data recording selection of a second release site began in completed, the birds were fi ed of the whereabouts and behaviour of the the spring, involving visits to several with a variety of devices to assist birds, which will be automatically uploaded ‘bustard-friendly’ areas, before assessing the with monitoring. to an online database for later analysis. areas according to key factors in Great We hope that increased monitoring will not Bustard habitat selection and ensuring that The largest males were fi ed with satellite only help us to keep be er track of the birds, any mild difficulties could be overcome transmi ers a ached to a backpack harness, but also provide information that will quickly. The private farm which hosts the transmi ng their location between one and enhance the success of future releases. second release site this year was chosen as it four times a day. These were expertly fi ed boasts, amongst other things, the highest by Professor Juan Carlos Alonso. Several number of bustards visiting the area a er the females were fi ed with radio-tag necklaces original release site. The farmland is flat and which will allow us to follow their move- open, with a good mix of arable habitats for ments via radio-tracking. All other birds were bustards, and also a low density of buildings fi ed with wing-tags, which are black with and roads, which will hopefully allow the white numbering this year. Only one marking birds to remain relatively undisturbed. method has been used on each bird this year to cut down on the number of devices each The survival of newly-released birds through individual carries, so birds fi ed with satellite their first winter has been highlighted as a or radio-transmi ers do not have wing-tags. critical factor limiting the growth of the UK population and many changes have been In addition, we have a number of introduced this year to try to increase the camera traps set up around both quality of birds that are released. With the release sites which will record LIFE+ project funding we have more Great Bustards in the area during resources to keep track of the birds when daylight and darkness, and also they leave the release areas and the monitor- any predators. ing team, consisting of volunteers and project We are utilising smartphone technology this staff, have already begun daily checks on the year to collect data on bustards in the field; Farm Liaison Allan Goddard in the pens new birds.
17 Austrian Great Bustard Project
Introducing Rainer Raab Austrian Great Bustard Project Director
be created for the Great Bustard by means of the LIFE+ Project. Within the project around 3.9 km of high voltage power lines will be marked with bird warning flags. Parts of two shelter belts, each 100 m, will be removed to extend and to improve the connectivity of the Great Bustard habitat.
Due to these actions and due to further intensive conservation efforts and the extensive habitat management, the Austrian Great Bustard population of 244-274 individuals at the breeding time 2010 should further increase.
A key to the success of Great Bustard conser- vation in Austria is the cooperation of nature Rainer Raab - Austrian Great Bustard Project Director conservation officials, local farmers and hunters. At the moment around 550 farmers Rainer Raab has been working in two of the project areas the main mortality and more than 100 hunters are involved in the field of Great Bustard protec- factor and therefore the main population the project. As Great Bustards don’t mind tion since 1999 under the inter- threat was power lines and these have widely borders, an intensive cooperation between national Great Bustard species been removed or at least marked, further Austria and its neighbouring countries conservation project. burying and marking of power lines will take Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will place, particularly in the project area be carried out in the future within the LIFE+ He has been in charge of an ever increasing Sandboden and Praterterrasse. Project concerning the cross-border protec- territory in Austria, starting with the March- tion of the West Pannonian Great Bustard feld area in 1999, adding Rauchenwarther These measures should contrib- population. Pla e in 2000, Western Weinviertel and ute to a further long-term Parndorfer Pla e - Heideboden in 2002, and increase of the Austrian and the Waasen - Hanság in 2008. He has also been whole cross-border West- in charge of coordinating the project as a Pannonian Great Bustard whole since 2000. From 2005 to 2010 he was population, respec- working as project assistant and Central tively. European Great Bustard coordinator within the framework of the LIFE-Project "Cross- Planned actions in border protection of the Great Bustard in Burgenland and Austria". Since October 2010 he has also Lower Austria been working as project assistant and Central include burying European Great Bustard coordinator within around 33.1 km the framework of the LIFE+ Project "Cross- of power lines border protection of the Great Bustard in and then the Austria. The objective of the Austrian LIFE+ existing power Project is the continuation of the successful lines will be work undertaken in the previous LIFE Project removed. There- and will last until 2015 covering all four of the fore larger power important Great Bustard areas in Austria. In line-free areas will
18 New GBG staff
Introducing Austin Weldon Project Officer
(Above) Aus n with one of his dogs and (Right) on his travels New GBG Project Site Manager Having worked for the GWCT for Austin Weldon has a diverse three years, Aus n was lucky enough background in wildlife and rural to get the chance of a life me and land management. work abroad in Africa on safari opera- ons in Namibia and Tanzania. This was He grew up on a mixed farm in Her ordshire a very special experience which he where he was given ample opportuni es to combined with working as a self-employed come into contact with wildlife. Whilst deer manager in the UK, moving as the reading for a degree in Environmental seasons dictated between the northern and Studies, Aus n got the opportunity to southern hemispheres. complete his industry year with the Game & work on Wildlife Conserva on Trust (GWCT), formerly Aus n then returned to the UK full- me to heathland, grassland, The Game Conservancy Trust, at Fording- read for an MSc in Rural Estate Management woodland and riparian habitats, the manage- bridge. This led to a wide variety of opportu- at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. ment of volunteers, catering for large groups, ni es including; radio-tracking hundreds of For his thesis Aus n looked at the conflict environmental educa on with school groups pheasants on a daily basis in the UK and and collabora on between gamekeepers and and the reintroduc on of water voles into Austria, gamebird diet studies, parasitology deerstalkers. This was part of the Geoffrey Moors Valley, combined with a coordinated inves ga ons, vegeta on and songbird Craghill Memorial Scholarship which Aus n approach to controlling mink with local surveys and electro-fishing amongst other was awarded. landowners. things! Upon comple on of his first degree On comple on of his Masters, Aus n started he was invited back on a full- me basis to Aus n is extremely interested in all wildlife work for Moors Valley Country Park as a work for the Preda on team working on and countryside ma ers. A keen rifle shooter Ranger for two and a half years. This was a projects to develop more humane, target- and fly fisherman in his spare me, he also diverse role involving prac cal conserva on specific methods of managing predators, enjoys working his gundogs on shoot days. such as foxes, corvids and mink.
19 Christmas shopping with GBG
New merchandise for Christmas Alex StoƩ reports
As the fesƟve season the most exci ng aspects of Great Bustards; a draws ever-closer, we female with her chick, a male in full display always enjoy updaƟng and a Great Bustard in flight showing off its our shop with a few immense wingspan. seasonal favours. Another addi on sure to This year is no excep on and sees please collectors is back not only Christmas items but an copies of O s magazine. expansion of other products sure to Issues stocked, date from please bustard supporters and collec- Spring 2010 – present and new tors alike. edi ons will be added a er publica on. To get you into the full swing of Christmas, Mugs we've introduced bustard reindeer. We We also stock ornate and beau ful are another of our best sellers. The should point out that rather than being a silver Bustards made by W. Carter and Son of Emma Bridgewater Great Bustard mug clever hybrid, these are in fact seasonal Salisbury and two bustard themed pocket remains expensive and elusive elsewhere, reindeer proudly wearing ny Great Bustard watches which make wonderful gi s and are but is only £15.95 from our online store and Group t-shirts. They make a perfect compan- sure to bestow a dis nguished, even Great this includes free postage to anywhere in the ion to the Bustard Bears also available in the Bustard-like air on any owner. store. Why not indulge your inner arctophile? UK. We also stock a range of mugs featuring photographs of UK Great Bustards taken by The shop itself sports a clean new look and Our most popular items have to be member- GBG photographer David Kjaer which have you can now create a wish list, ideal for ships. As well as being brilliant value for now been expanded to include mugs featur- dropping hints to loved ones or just useful for money, affording you the opportunity to visit ing many of the birds of Salisbury Plain such remembering to buy something later on. the Project Site free of charge (not to as Stone Curlews, Corn Bun ngs, Partridges, There's no need to sign up when you make a men on coming with a free subscrip on to Yellowhammers and Skylarks. Another purchase and there's free postage on every O s as well as a GBG pin badge) member- popular entry into the shop is a trio of mugs single item. We're always adding new items ships make unique and intriguing gi s. Both featuring Great Bustard pain ngs by and special offers to the site, so log on and single gi memberships and family gi Wiltshire ar st Philip Hutchings. These mugs find something truly original today! memberships are available in our shop and are available individually and exhibit three of h p://greatbustard.org/shop from on our online store.
20 Staff update
Hannah Rose to volunteer whenever she could over the following autumn/winter once she had Would you like LIFE+ Project Assistant finished college and became an employee in to volunteer? March 2010, mostly running the ‘bothy’ Do you have a few hours to spare GBG’s information centre at the Hawk Although not here and there? We are looking Conservancy Trust, and spending a day a a new for volunteers to help out with member of week helping out at the Project Site. Hannah the ‘Bustard Bothy’ at the Hawk the Great has now taken on a further two days per Conservancy Trust from around Bustard Proj- week, in order to help Tracé Williams with ect team, the many administrative duties – mountains March next year. You do not need having been a of paperwork and spreadsheets, logging to know the ins and outs of Great part time employee for a year purchases and staff time to name but a few - Bustards or the project, but an and a half, Hannah Rose has that go with the LIFE+ Project and also to interest in both as well as a recently taken on a new role, relieve Karen Waters of some of the admin friendly and polite persona is that she deals with for the GBG in between funded through the LIFE+ Project. vital. EnƟrely flexible, do as liƩle her many other jobs. She finds herself doing a or as much as you like! She first became involved with the Great variety of different jobs, from monitoring the Hannah.rose@greatb Bustard Group in January 2009, when she birds to hands-on site maintenance, or ustard.org completed three weeks of (very cold) work sorting out purchase orders the next. Hannah experience for her studies at Sparsholt grew up on a smallholding so she has always College where she was taking a two year loved the countryside and its wildlife, birds in course - a National Diploma in Countryside particular, so she is delighted to now find and Habitat Management. Hannah continued herself more involved in the project.
Predation Studies with Austin Weldon
The new addition to the GBG staff, Austin issues the project faces. The use of motion Weldon, brings a wealth of experience with activated infra red cameras is one of the him, and in particular expertise on predation technologies Austin is using to work out fox and foxes. Austin has been tasked with populations and movements. One of the investigating and dealing with the predation foxes caught on camera is shown above. © Dave Kjaer 21 Schools and Groups
A dream comes true GBG’s Russian visitors report on their trip to Britain
(Above) Visitors and GBG staff with St Ann Edwards Headmaster Stephen Richardson. (Top right) Bri sh student Claire Smithson with penpal Sasha Rebenok Russian teachers Natasha Laza- from the Great Bustard Group Project Site. Thanks to David and many other supporters reva and Angela Bagdyan report We met our old and new friends there. We we had a perfect and useful trip. David and on their recent visit to Britain. were glad to have communication with all of his wife Karen, GBG’s Marketing Representa- them and we were so impressed to see Great tive Suzy Elkins and her wonderful family “Hurray! At last we’re here!” were the first Bustards in the field. We were proud of looked a er us very well and we had a lot of words we spoke when we arrived at Heath- Russian bustards living there. Our students experience in exploration of culture and row airport. It was so wonderful to visit Great didn’t believe that they really became lucky traditions of Great Britain. We learned Britain in October for the first time. The to see all these nice things with their own various styles of life and people’s behaviour impressions were magnificent. Everything eyes. in different situations.. The main purpose of here was so familiar and yet so new at the our visit was to link Russian and British same time. We were delighted with unusual All of us had a good chance to see schools, to find pen pals for Russian students sight and exotic landscapes which usually the work of many people who and to begin cultural exchange between draw crowds of tourists. We admired were involved to the conserva- students of both countries. There is no doubt different places where even every stone and tion project. we were eager to interest British adults and tree were friends to us. People in streets children in Russia, its culture, customs, food David Waters, director of GBG is our best were so friendly that we were not afraid to and holidays. We wanted to show the spirit of friend and one of the founders of the get lost. Russia to British people. And, of course, we Children’s Organisation of International learned much about British spirit. We liked On the first day of our trip we enjoyed beauti- Relations in school №1, and he helped everything in those places we had been: ful nature. It was as green as in Spring and we arrange our trip. We come from the town of landscapes, people, manners, traditional were interested in different kinds of plants, Krasny Kut which is situated not far from food (we tried to eat every dish new to us). trees and flowers. Our adventures began Dyakovsky forest and biological station.
(Above) The visitors with staff and pupils of Ann Edwards C of E Primary School in South Cerney
22 sports together with them. (Georgii, one of our students, was glad to show his sport abiliƟes in playing football). We are very grateful to GBG’s Karen Waters and Suzy Elkins, and School Headteacher Stephen Richardson who were organisers of these events and gave us opportuniƟes to be present at lessons of History,y, Languages, Religion, Drama, IT and Music.c. GBG volunteer and friend of the bustard Because of our career we were especiallyy Fred with Russian student Georgii Mezirov interested in methods of teaching, school Hawk faciliƟes and subjects, and were amazed that Conservancy was splendid. We are very We enjoyed every minute of our stay with the most popular foreign language was thankful to Fred and Rona for their help. They our new friends. (We talked to them so much, Spanish. were so enthusiasƟc that we wanted to be asked so many quesƟons and someƟmes we with them more and more. They showed and were afraid that quiet BriƟsh people would The school atmospheres were told us very interesƟng facts about birds and Ɵre of us). very friendly, the teachers were their habits. We were surprised with the size very sociable and helpful. So we and abiliƟes of those clever birds. During our visit we managed to see many analysed everything, discussed interesƟng sights, to have many involving diīerences and similariƟes and Last day of our stay was London. excursions, and to communicate with remembered best things about We were looking forward to colleagues, students and head teachers. The schools. seeing it most of all. We read Įrst two days were very useful for our group about London sights, saw Įlms, because of schools. We hope they will be our twin schools from taught our children but we didn’t now on. As for diīerent aƩracƟons, they We visited St. Edmunds Girls know all the details about each became fantasƟc in fact. We saw Stonehenge School in Salisbury, Ann Edwards sight. and didn’t believe that we were there. Our School in South Cerney and Deer students and we had been dreaming of How exciƟng we were now standing next to Park School in visiƟng this historic monument for a long the Tower of London, the Houses of Parlia- Cirencester.Cire Ɵme and standing very close to Stonehenge ment and Big Ben. Having a tour of sightsee- ing in a double-decker bus we saw St. Paul’s Our students we realised that dreams become true if you Cathedral, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar showed want them very much. We had unforgeƩable Square, NaƟonal Gallery and a lot of magniĮ- presenta- magic feelings. cent buildings. How wonderful was London Ɵons about Next day was in Bath with Roman Baths, from the River Thames! At the end of the day Russia, street aƩracƟons and of course shopping. our group moved to Madame Tussaud’s Krasny Kut, We’ll never forget Salisbury Cathedral with its museum and spent there some hours explor- our naƟve magniĮcent atmosphere and spirit of ancient ing, taking photos with life- size outstanding ttown, and our Ɵmes. We had a chance to see beauty and Įgures and entertaining in the cinema hall. sschool.cho They really greatness of Salisbury at night Ɵme while Everyone from our group became a part of enjoyedjd talking to naƟve walking along the streets and in the Queen ancient England looking at diīerent scenes speakers, playing diīerent games and doing Elizabeth Gardens. from old black taxis. We had a very lovely meeƟng with the mayor of Salisbury, Council- lor Mr. John AbboƩ JP, who was so kind as to give us a wonderful excursion around the Guildhall, telling us diīerent stories connected with history. We’d like to thank GBG, Ann Edwards C of E School, St Edmund’s Girls School and all supporters and people who were involved in this project for doing their best to make our dreams come true. The visitors gave presentaƟons to the ‘Friends of the bustard’ monthly meeƟng group
23 International Relations
The link between British and Russian schools Natasha Karavaeva reports on behalf of Badger School InternaƟonal
(Above) David and Suzy visiƟng School No 1 (Right) Anastasia Barsukova, Badger School Director
Badger School International with some funny questions a erwards, like, we've been represents the school project of "Do they really think in English?", "Are they approached by the GBG in Saratov, the purpose real English people?", "Can they truly speak children from schools that of which is to increase the no Russian at all?" don't participate yet, inviting us to visit them. ecological awareness among children in Britain and Russia and These questions might seem amusing and Now that another school year has started, we encourage interest towards even strange, but that is exactly why the are planning a series of school events aimed other cultures and the world in school project is so important. It gives the at involving more children and teachers in general. children a broader outlook on the world, and the club. In cooperation with our British this is vital for productive education. The friends we are hoping to make it ever so It all started last year and since then has been meeting with David and Suzy definitely exciting and thrilling for everyone. It also on the list of our priorities. boosted their curiosity as well, as the more should be noted that the project now is you get to know, the more questions arise. growing and extending the age limits, as The idea of establishing contact between there's more and more interest expressed by Russian and British school students occured a On the basis of the school project university students, which is very much couple of years ago and has been growing our school partners in Saratov supported by the children who got involved ever since. First, the teachers of Krasny Kut now introduce English into their in the project as pupils and now are continu- School #1 started the International Children’s environmental activities. ing their education a er leaving school. Organisation, and later they were joined by Thanks to the meetings with British visitors For example, the poster competition promot- two schools in Saratov, School #75 and #89. they can find out more about Great Bustard, ing care for the nature among the children of Great Britain, the English language etc and Last winter the Saratov children met English 5th and 6th school year was arranged in share this knowledge with their groupmates, visitors for the first time - David Waters and English, as well as the quiz devoted to the thus fostering more interest in peers. Suzy Elkins - which was a major event for International Day of Birds in April. It is always them, as they got the chance to practice their encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the On the whole, the project now seems to skills of English and connect their classroom teachers and students to do things. The integrate people of various age groups and activities with real life. This meeting gave information about all this got on the news on occupations which gives it an opportunity to them a new ground for learning, as now they the local radio and newspaper, which develop and embrace more ideas to benefit really know what they do it for. I was faced popularises the project in the city. As a result, every participant.
24 GBG Book Review
Prof. Estlin Waters writes A fascinaƟng account
par cular knowledge of East Yorkshire birds. Most records were of birds shot and o en There is an early reference to Bustards in the served at meals. Sir William Strickland in an Earl of Northumberland’s regula ons in 1512 invita on to dine at Boynton Hall described for principal feasts in his Castles of Wressill the principal dish as probably “the last of his and Lekinfield in Yorkshire. Nelson regrets race” but a few lingered a er this. Bustards that almost all the records of the bird’s were o en given as gi s and one was existence in Yorkshire date from a er its presented to George IV then Prince Regent. ex nc on there. The exact date of the Nelson believed that one of the main causes ex nc on, as so o en elsewhere, is uncer- of ex nc on was the Enclosure Acts. These tain but Nelson believes that the last bird was are not now thought to be so important but Estlin Waters Prof. seen at Foxholes near Scarborough about Nelson described them as giving the Bustard 1835. “no ce to quit”. A er the extermina on, Here Estlin looks at TH Nelson’s Nelson could find only two occurrences of The Birds of Yorkshire: a histori- Nelson suggests that the lack of earlier vagrants up to the publica on of his book. cal Account of the Avifauna of records may be explained by the very One female was shot in February 1861 and the County published by Brown abundance of the species! Despite the another female was picked up in the sea abd Sons, London in 1907. paucity of contemporary records, Nelson “dead but s ll warm” near Bridlington Quay summarised the Bustard as “formerly It is in two volumes as befits England’s largest in November 1864. resident in great numbers on the Wolds of county. With over two hundred illustra ons, eastern Yorkshire, when in their virgin state Estlin Waters they were printed at £1-5/- and a nice set as undula ng barren sheepwalks”. now would cost a hundred mes as much. The three main areas of the former breeding The largest number popula on of Great Bustards were: Wiltshire, men oned is Sir East Anglia and Yorkshire. Anyhow, these William Strickland’s three areas had the most wri en about the memory of a flock Bustard. of 25 on the Wolds between Reighton Thomas Hudson Nelson (1856 – 1916) was and Bridlington. interested in natural history in general and Near Sledmere is ornithology in par cular. He has been the loca on of an described as following no profession, infamous event that probably due to ill-health which also affected happened about his brothers and his one son, all of whom 1808. Mr St died very young. Quin n’s keeper Nelson lived the life of a semi-invalid and was killed 11 Bustards at advised by his doctor to live on more level a shot with a ground. He chose Redcar. It was en rely blunderbuss – so owing to his friend Eagle Clarke’s persuasion heavy that it was that he undertook his “stupendous task” of more than the wri ng this book. It has nine of 843 pages strong man could devoted to the Great Bustard. The book was hold without a rest. One account says that commenced by Eagle Clarke but was rewrit- seven fell to the gun and four were wounded ten and bought up to date by Nelson a er and “got a erwards”. It seems that the Eagle Clarke moved to Scotland in 1888. The equipment of a Wold keeper included a tle pages honour the co-opera on of Eagle stalking horse, a coat made of horse hide, Clarke and F Boyes, the la er having a with the hair outside, and a blunderbuss.
25 Schools and groups
Go Bustard! Lesley Fudge reports on a new and interesƟng art iniƟaƟve
Donkeys at Weston, the Whales and Dolphins at an art exhibition Preview evening and I was in Vancouver and recently the Gorillas in then invited to join the WVDT Board to get an Bristol; the inspiration? I am a member of the artistic element into the group. As WVDT had Hawk Conservancy and the Great Bustard the structure, the Art Society partnered with Group and of course, the Eureka! moment them to help the bustard vision to materi- was - the Great Bustard. A er all, it's on the alise. Guide and Scout badges, the Wiltshire flag and so many other places and they are being We have had businesses, reintroduced on our doorstep on Salisbury individuals, villages, a disability Plain. group and schools already asking for their own bustard! So the concept was that I didn't want this to be an elitist art project but something that A primary school is considering how there really involved the community to bring might be a pen pal communication with the people from Warminster and surrounding children from the town in Russia where the villages together and to raise the spirits in reintroduced bustards on the Plain are what is such a difficult time for so many. sourced. I have of course, discussed the project with David Walters of the Great I didn't want my vision to be Bustard Group (GBG) and he is delighted that something for only 'artists' and the profile of this iconic bird will be raised in celebrities to be involved with, another way. He has offered prizes for the but li le ones, schools, teenag- 'best' bustard within categories (children, ers, military, elderly, able-bodied elderly etc), days out at the bustard project and disabled alike. and anything else they can do to support the project. Lesley with one of her painƟngs It would be totally inclusive. We could enable any group that wanted to be part of the fun A street survey was organised to find out In 2009, Lesley Fudge, artist and to have their own bustard to paint or from 1,000 people in four towns, Warmin- GBG supporter explored the decorate even if they had no money. They ster, Trowbridge, Melksham and Devizes, Cloth Road Art Trail. Here she would be supported if they needed help by how many people recognize the bustard from writes about the start of a very an artist and since this has become 'news' a photo. “Can you name this bird?” is the interesting journey. many offers of support from artists have question they have been asked – not a been given. competition to give it a name of course! The As an artist I visit all the local art trails; we are feedback has been recorded by age and so lucky to have such talented people around I spoke to the Art Society. I am the secretary gender. The recognition rate is currently low. us. I had bought a painting from one of the of Warminster Art Society, and whilst people When we repeat the survey at the end of the artists, Melissa Wishart and when I went to were keen for the project to happen, many project, we hope that most people will recog- collect it a er the exhibition, she had a naked are older or not physically able and would not nise our County icon. fibre-glass lion model in her dining room. She therefore be able to help. When the likely told me that she was one of the artists for the extent of the bustard project was thought Lions of Bath. She talked to me about the about, I as a retired nurse (I still work part- project and on my drive home, I thought how time) did not have the capacity to do this Bradford on Avon, where she lived and alone or with a couple of fellow artists. We Frome, seem to have an art 'soul' and whilst had, as an art group taken part in a joint we have so many really talented people in exhibition with the camera club and the 2011 and around Warminster, it didn't feel as Warminster Calendar competition, both though we have anything similar. I wondered organised along with the Warminster and what 'our' icon would be if we had an art Villages Development Trust (WVDT). I project like the Lions and Pigs of Bath, the mentioned my vision for the bustard project The Lions of Bath
26 the bustards and stamping their passport as The residents of one of our elderly care they find them, winning a prize when they homes desperately want to have their own have collected all the bustards on the trail - model so the first tranche of funds will go to we will hopefully add the bustard locations to them supported by a donation from a very 'Google Maps' and searchers can use Sat Nav generous couple who a ended the GBG to find them or opt for a simple plan, a bit like garden party and offered to support an a treasure trail. This fun tour of the town and elderly group. villages will increase business for pubs, shops etc. across our area as will the workup to and the 'event' itself. Buy a beauƟful bustard bronze So where are we now? Ian Hooper, a wonderful sculptor A stunning bronze has also now been from Westbury, sculpted the made by Ian Hooper. With modern larger than life size model. This patinating techniques, the colours was then cast in fibre-glass at are amazing. Bronzes can be ordered Lesley, Ian and GBG’s Lynne Derry Country Leisure in Cholderton from Ian by contacting him on 01373 whose MD Malcolm Brown very 858435. 2012 is going to be a year of celebration with kindly donated our first model the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the which was then painted Wiltshire Olympics and the launch of a flock of green. bustards will be an 'event' in Warminster Park to open the Warminster Festival in October He is Percy, “The Peoples’ bustard’ and he 2012. The models will also be seen around currently lives in Warminster Library the town and villages. where he is busy collecting autographs for donations to raise funds for groups We hope to have a bustard trail, taking who want to have, but can’t raise funds visitors around the locations. People will have themselves for, a model. a 'passport' and complete the trail finding all
Other projects The sculptures were individually designed and decorated in a wide range of styles, from grafitti to abstract and mosaic, by a many talented artists from Bath, Scotland, London, France, Moscow and China, including well known figures such as Sir Peter Blake, Rolf Harris and Cath Kidston. The lions were kindly sponsored by businesses, organisa- tions, local communities and individuals. Lions of Bath 2010 was a public Many such projects have since been under- art event for the World Heritage taken, all drawing together the community city of Bath, which saw 100 life- and creating a sense of teamwork during size lion sculptures displayed in their creation. Lesley now hopes to see the pride of place in locations all over Wiltshire bustards take off in the same way. the city from May-September We wish Lesley the very best for this project 2010 and then auctioned, raising and look forward to reporting on its success over £65,000 for local charities. in future issues of Otis. The Donkeys of Weston
27 Fundraising
Bustards in the Buff Suzy Elkins reports on GBG’s naked calendar
Ever since Calendar Girls brought While the weather on Salisbury Plain was still all paticipants intact, and is respectable bare bo oms to the Bri sh coun- warm the staff and volunteers at GBG gamely enough to grace the wall of any home or tryside there has been an air of shed their clothes in the name of fun and office. Some of the delectable country girls cheeky delight in the charity funding and ‘Bustards in the Buff’ 2012 was featured in the calendar, though they blush naked calendar. born. The calendar is causing quite a stir and slightly at the recollection, show below that So here at GBG we thought it would be great pre-orders have already begun hi ng Project the calendar was put together in the name of to come up with our own for ‘posterity’ and Director David Waters mat. The calendar is a good cause and a bit of fun. to raise funds for the project in 2012. tastefully photographed with the modesty of And the bits we’ll be leaving out! When the final calendar is produced there will be a few images le out for the sake of grace and decency, amongst which are Fergus’ antics when his owner and keeper Karen Waters kindly intervened to save our model’s pains. From thistles under bo oms to mischievious Fergus a empting a sneaky peck it’s been a lot of fun photographing the calendar and we hope you like the results.
Fergus isn’t sure about this! Model ready, Fergus not so And then he’s gone! Lying naked on thistles? Perfectly posed pets..?
Text required
Reserve your copy of ‘Bustards in the Buff’ now. Simply go to www.greatbustard.org/shop and let us know how many copies you’d like at £10 each. 28 Enclose payment, glue here, seal and post to the address overleaf
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Postal address: 1 Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6JP MEMBERSHIP Pay monthly from just £1.66 a month Become a member of the Great Bustard Group to help secure the future of this amazing bird.
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30 WeWe needneed yyou!ou!
We need volunteers, all year round, especially weekends, hours are totally flexible but one regular day per week is desirable
What’s in it for you: You will join a small team of enthusiastic visitor guides who love telling people about Great Bustards
The opportunity to drive a Landrover around Salisbury Plain regularly, seeing a host of other farmland birds and wildlife such as corn bun- ting, stone-curlew and brown hare. As well as seeing the expanse and grassland of the Plain and its wild flowers. And join in with fun events and membership evenings.
For more information email [email protected].
Step out of mundane life and into œšaŝdinŌn living See Great Bustards THERAPEUTIC SESSIONS in the wild Benefits: s move forward s build confidence to break through limitations s solve long and short term problems of all kinds Visit the GBG s cope with physical pain s create a better quality of life
£10 per person ART THERAPY Benefits: s increase self esteem & self confidence s stimulate imagination & creativity FREE to GBG members! s identify feelings & blocks to emotional expression
To book ring or email T’AI CH’I CH’UAN & CH’I GONG CLASSES Benefits: s stress & tension relief s improve posture Ia`e t]e fřht htep s increase mobility 07817 971 327 s energise your body todan into a Wgand s calm your mind [email protected] nel tomŞol® info & booking 07709 533 665 The Heart of Being is located in [email protected] the beautiful surroundings of Courtyard Cottage at The Grange, www.theheartofbeing.co.uk Winterbourne Dauntsey SP4 6ER Coming soon - ‘Bustards in the Buff’
Our charity calendar ‘Bustards in the Buff’ will soon be available online and in selected stores to purchase in time for Christmas £10
See www.greatbustard.org
This project is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas. It is being delivered through the Local Action Group on Salisbury Plain, and the South West of England Regional Development Agency with Defra as the Managing Authority