The British Great Bustard population's nesting area ranges some 200 square miles across mid Wiltshire, along the flanks of Salisbury Plain.

If you have any Bustard sightings, particularly over the next 2 months, we would be very keen to hear from you:

[email protected]

We occasionally see sparring males during the lek and were fortunate enough to capture this video of a scuffle.

With thanks to Steve Colwill for the recording.

🌍🌿 Happy Earth Day! 🌿🌍 Did you know that Lucerne & Red Clover put nitrogen back into the soil? These plants are key to the Great Bustards diet & our gin. They nuture nature. #EarthDay #ProtectOurPlanet #Sustainability #NatureLove

A rather early lovely morning bothering some exceptional old stones Stonehenge featuring the wonderful Gertie the Great Bustard

Not all artisan & craft gins are alike & not all distilleries are alike. We are proud to join the #ActuallyMadeIn initiative alongside Manchester Gin, Tarquin’s Gin & Brighton Gin bringing transparency back to spirits. #ActuallyMadeIn #Salisbury #Gin #Wiltshire

This chap was up early this morning and in full display.

On 13th May we will be presenting at the Pint of Science festival at the Wig and Quill, Salisbury.

A limited number of tickets are still available. For more details see:

pintofscience.co.uk/event/going-wi…

Rogues gallery. A recent image of the males parading in their breeding plumage.

With thanks to Phill Tryner for the photo.

Starting off the week, here's a recent photo of some of the females in flight.

With thanks to Phill Tryner for the image.

A cracking image taken by Lauren during a visit to our Salisbury Plain population.

For more info on visits and bespoke photo hide sessions please visit: greatbustard.org

Very grey and rainy on the Plain this morning, but we observed a male Great Bustard displaying between showers. The lek is still several weeks away, but the males are already preparing.

A big thanks is due to Downton Distillery, who have raised £1200 for Great Bustard conservation since the launch of Great Bustard gin last month.

Great Bustard gin is available for sale on their website here: downtondistillery.com/products/great…

Merry Christmas to you all - and a special thanks to all those who have supported the project this year. Here's looking forward to 2024.

We are proud to announce the launch of Great Bustard Gin!
Produced here in Wiltshire by Downton Distillery - each sale supports the conservation of the species.
Order online at:
downtondistillery.com/products/great…
or find the Downton Distillery stall at Winchester Christmas market.

Are you stuck for Christmas gifts?

Alongside visits vouchers, we also sell an extensive range of Bustard items, which helps support the conservation of the species.

Please follow the link for our webstore: store.greatbustard.org

A big thank you to Paul Carter of @Salisbury Plain 4x4 Wiltshire Byways, who took our visit leads out for some top-up Land Rover training.

He also made a surprise donation afterwards. Keen local supporters like Paul make a huge difference.

The Great Bustard calendar for 2024 is now on sale!

Proceeds will directly support our conservation work.

store.greatbustard.org/product-page/2…

Did you see this amazing cake creation on British Bake Off’s ‘An Extra Slice’? It’s the incredible work of Adrian and Caro from the @BustardGroup here in Wiltshire 🐦🍰

Great Bustard Bake Off...

A big congratulations to our volunteers Adrian and Caro, whose magnificent Bustard cake won the Star Baker award on GBBO Extra Slice. Watch the latest episode (Series 14, episode 6), around the 20 minute point.

'Goddamn ornithologists...'

Female Great Bustards seen recently on a cultivated field on the edge of Salisbury Plain.

Many thanks to Phill Tryner for the images.