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GBG News
A word from the Director absolutely certain we will meet with success. We need to buy the equipment and you will have no ced the new funding appeal and the envelope inside this issue of O s. Your help is, as always, hugely appreciated. I am acutely aware of the tremendous
The Great Bustard Group is the UK registered charity and membership organisation formed in 1998 to re-introduce the Great Bustard OƟs tarda to the UK.
support given by many GBG members and am anxious not to con nually knock on the same doors every me there is a need. I hope that copies of this issue of O s and the funding appeal envelopes will find their way
The GBG is actively involved in Great Bustard conservation and is working with other organisations, both nationally and internationally to save the world’s heaviest flying bird.
to new places and be read by new people. Please pass your copy around and think of leaving it at the Doctors or the library, if they will take it, as posi ve awareness of our project is our lifeblood.
President The Rt. Hon. The Lord Tryon
David Waters, GBG Founder and Director
Vice Presidents Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes DL John Chitty CertZooMed. CBiol. MIBiol. MRCVS Paul Goriup BSc. MSc.
2012 will be the first year the GBG will bring
The lek, or at least the jostling of males in
eggs back to the UK from Russia. The inten on is to spare growing chicks the stress of a two day journey and the change of environment at a cri cal stage in their
Trustees David Bond (Chairman) John Browning Dina De Angelo Kevin Duncan Simon Gudgeon Estlin Waters
development.
prepara on for it gets underway very early in the new year. I always think, if someone could only visit the project once, the early Spring is the me to do it. Displaying males in their finery, returning females and the bonus of Stone-curlews selec ng their nest sites, make it an exci ng me. Better s ll is the
The exercise is not en rely straigh orward as
knowledge that the days are ge ng longer
the eggs are rescued from field cul va on in
and brighter. Keep an eye on our website as
Russia at any stage during their incuba on.
we will be running special ‘dawn’ trips to give
Director David Waters
This means that some may have been laid
the best views of the lek this year. It would be
that morning and others will hatch that day.
great to see more members coming on tours
Contact 1, Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6JP. UK
We will need to be sure we do not have eggs
of the Project Site, and do remember that
hatching during the journey from Saratov to
visits are completely free to all members.
01980 671 466
Bustard eggs has not been done before - not
enquiries@greatbustard.org www.greatbustard.org
the UK. Long distance transport of Great legally at least, so the venture will be a new one,
but with the right equipment I am
Otis Production Team Editor: Suzy Elkins Design: AA1 Media Ltd Print: Bath Midway Litho Front cover photograph Houbara Bustard
3
Contents
In this issue
Welcome to GBG’s new Junior Supporters
05
GBG News From Moscow to Iraq we bring you the latest news on the welfare of bustards around the globe, and we have some exciƟng prospects for the coming season.
09
Of Hawks and Falcons Stanislav Khuchraew reminisces on how his love of the natural world began in childhood.
12
Bustardwatch Andrew Taylor reports on the wandering bustards of Britain.
4
14
Welcome Junior Bustard Supporters
22
GBG introduces its new children’s magazine.
15
Bustard Buddies
19
24
20
International Falconry Conference David Waters reports on his recent trip to the United Arab Emirates.
Great Bustards in Portugal Bill and Ann Jordan update us on the bustard populaƟon in Portugal.
GBG in Hungary Kate Ashbrook reports on Great Bustard conservaƟon in Hungary.
Eggs and Chicks appeal We launch our new appeal and make history in Britain.
NEW pullout and keep secƟon for your fledglings!
Fox Corner AusƟn Weldon introduces us to Vulpes Vulpes, the Red Fox.
10
Meet Vulpes Vulpes in Fox Corner
26
Genus Otidae Estlin Waters provides a fascinaƟng look at the bustard family.
28
Beautiful Bustards Our tribute to this stunning bird.
GBG News Great Bustards in Iraq Omar Fadhil of the Nature Iraq NGO sent Otis this picture of illegal hunting from Iraq. There is li le work being done on the status of the Great Bustard in Iraq but Nature Iraq recognises that illegal hunting is a problem. This picture appears to be taken in the Spring with males in breeding plumage, and males and females having been killed together. The photo was taken on the Iraq/Syria border. Great Bustards have a survival strategy based on the long term survival of the adult birds. If they are hunted in any numbers, the population will decline and if le
unchecked, become extinct.
Education, particularly of the younger generation, is a useful weapon to counter illegal hunting. The GBG and Nature Iraq plan to maintain regular contact and GBG hope to assist Nature Iraq in the near future with education materials.
Moscow Visit
Illegal hun ng is a problem on the Iraq border
Keeping the bruises at bay! Not all birds are as friendly as Great
In November David Waters a ended a
Bustards. Those who know Fergus, the
scientific conference in Moscow hosted by
star Great Bustard the GBG keeps at the
the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Evolution
Hawk Conservancy Trust, may well know
and Ecology (Russian Academy of Science).
that he can give a good size bruise if he
Olga Oparina (from the Saratov Branch of
nips your leg. The Siberian Cranes at
the Institute) presented the joint works of
Moscow Zoo are rather more feisty.
the Saratov Branch and the GBG. A er the
Looking like a riot policeman, Pavel is
conference David was able to introduce
wearing the protective kit he needs to
Olga to the staff at the Moscow Zoo breed-
enter the Crane pen.
Kitted out for safety amongst the cranes
ing centre where they were hosted by Pavel and Tatiana Rozchov who work with the Great Bustards at the centre. The exchange of information was very useful and close links will be maintained between the Saratov Branch of the Institute and the Breeding Centre.
Caption Competition winner Thanks to everyone who took part in our Caption
Competition
(Otis Winter 2011). We
have
received
some great entries and choosing a winner was difficult but we thank Maurice Hampshire
Tinker for
of his
suggestion as it raised the most smiles at our selection meeting. Mr. Tinker wins a crate of Bustard Pavel Rozchov with Olga Oparina
Ale
Stonehenge Ales.
“The meeƟng went well unƟl it was announced that David was providing lunch and he was using old army raƟons again.”
from
Maurice Tinker
5
GBG News Boys will be boys..
Boomer takes a bow
Early January saw the strongest winds we
The New Holland Boomer tractor, kindly loaned to the project by C&O Tractors, has just finished its first fifty hours work at the Project Site. It was delivered in August, and has since been used by GBG’s Allan Goddard for tasks such as topping and ploughing in the release pen. This work is vital to keep the site a ractive to bustards throughout the year. Having a brand new and reliable tractor makes it much easier to get everything done at the right time.
have experienced in England for a long time. The gales on 3rd January combined with very heavy rain to give some appalling conditions. Certainly standing in the mobile home which serves as GBG’s office on Salisbury Plain in this weather was like being in a speed boat – the structure was bouncing around and there was almost zero visibility. The CCTV camera in the enclosure was facing down wind, and still provided some very good images as it was pointing away from the weather. The camera was turned onto two male Great Bustards known to be in the enclosure as staff were keen to observe the behaviour of the birds in such inclement weather. Much to everyone’s surprise, instead of lying low and escaping the winds the male birds were standing up, looking as tall as possible and were clearly squaring up to one other. They stood beak to beak for most of the time, occasionally trying to grab their opponent. From the middle of December it had been noted that whiskers and new red neck feathers were appearing on the males, but this was the first behavioural sign of the forthcoming lek. It was remarkable that they chose such awful weather to begin deciding who is the dominant male.
The tractor pictured at its first service
Great Bustards in Iran (more accessible for British readers)
describes a breeding survey in an area of
in Volume 22 (1) 55-60. This article
44 square kilometers of cereals and
records 60 Great Bustard breeding in
legumes on the main breeding area of
21 sites with 200-300 in winter. The
Sootav plain in northwestern Iran. Here
Great Bustard is protected through-
Bustards have been declining in recent
out Iran from 1967 but this is difficult
decades (no figures given) and 13 “breed-
to control. Poachers could be fined
ing pairs” were found in April 2009. The
US$6000
main cause is said to be advanced irrigated
between three months and three
agroecosystems. Courtship began in late
years imprisonment.
March and lekking occurred in mid and late April. Five nests were found from 7th to 20th May. Four, in wheat, had three eggs all of which hatched. During incubation, the females left the nest for feeding about one to two hours per day. The maximum number of birds seen was in April with 7 males and 19 females. The need for an extensive survey in Iran is a priority for conservation. A fuller survey in Iran between 1990 and 1994 is published in Sandgrouse, 2000
6
Genetic Research
A short report (Podoces 2010, 5(2) 104-6)
and/or
sentenced
to
Dr Paul O’Donaghue at Chester University has been making excellent progress with his genetic study of the samples sent to him by the GBG. Paul has broken down the genetic codes to individual level and can identify brothers and sisters and more distant family links. This information will help GBG to understand much more about the breeding biology of the species. Does the lek really get dominated by one or two males? Will a male be a successful breeder for more than one year at a time? How closely related is the UK population and what are the real differences, if any, between the different Great Bustard populations? To answer this last question the GBG will be seeking genetic samples from Great Bustards from as many populations as possible - from China in the east to Portugal in the west.
GBG News
Naked Calendar GBG’s ‘Bustards in the Buff’ calendar has proved to be a huge success – only a handful remain unsold. In addition to raising useful funds for the Eggs and Chicks Appeal the calendar has also generated invaluable publicity. Local radio stations and newspapers have covered the story, usually focusing on the
extreme
bravery
of
Lenka
Panackova who posed naked with Fergus the Bustard at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Fergus is well known for his character and for leaving more than a few guests with a beak shaped bruise to take home as a souvenir. Luckily valiant Lenka escaped without a mark thanks to discreet bodyguard Karen Waters, Fergus’ keeper and ‘Mum’.
Go Bustards!
(Above) Lenka was a great sport and braved Fergus with a smile (Inset) Karen steps in!
LIFE+ notice boards Two new information boards have been erected as a part of the LIFE+ project. The boards are
The GBG has placed an order for one of the
displayed at the Bustard Bothy at the Hawk Conservancy Trust and at the viewing area next to
Great Bustard sculptures made by the
the visitor area at the Salisbury Plain Project Site. The boards give general information about
Warminster based Go Bustards project. The
the Great Bustard and more detailed information about the reintroduction project.
larger than life sculpture will be painted in life-like colours by the driving force behind introducing
Reintroducing the Great Bustard (O s tarda) to Southern England Great bustards are the world's heaviest ?ying birds, with males reaching an incredible 20kg in weight. They have a wingspan of 2.5 metres and stand over one metre tall. They are on the
th eG ta r eat Bus
rd
also have a special feature - a donation slot
L IFE+ Re
Go Bustards, the artist Lesley Fudge. It will
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and European popula ons have been in long term decline, only arrested by conserva on projects in some areas.
and cash collection box inside. GBG will use
www.greatbustard.org/life_project
the sculpture to raise funds and increase the profile of the project. Another Go Bustards sculpture has been ordered by the Stone-
Great bustards are a priority species for EU LIFE funding. LIFE+ Reintroducing the Great Bustard is a ?ve-year project that began in September 2010. The project partners, RSPB, Great Bustard Group, University of Bath and Natural England, aim to signi?cantly increase the small popula on of great bustards already established on Salisbury Plain.
The LIFE+ project will u lise agri-environment schemes to promote bustard friendly habitat. We will seek to manage areas important for lekking or breeding, by providing advice in key areas for bustards and helping to secure funding for landowners and farmers who wish to help.
Great bustards in the UK originate from Saratov in Russia. They spend 30 days in quaran ne before being released into secure areas of ideal habitat, where they can socialise with older birds and explore their new surroundings. There will be an annual late-summer release of great bustards for the dura on of the LIFE+ project.
Habitat suitable for great bustards is also bene?cial for many of our declining farmland birds. Through our work with Natural England and farmers, loca on of the right habitat in the right places will also help species such as grey partridge and corn bun ng, which u lise wild bird seed mixtures and nectar mixes.
A major aim of the LIFE+ project is to undertake comprehensive monitoring of the birds, gathering informa on from satellite transmi ers and using radio tracking. Each bird is also ? ed with a unique wing tag or leg ring to help both staff and the public to iden fy individuals.
Great bustards are already breeding in the Wiltshire countryside! Three chicks have ?edged over the last three years. The LIFE+ project will build upon this success, develop new release sites and re?ne management to ensure increased survival.
henge brewery to help promote the Great Bustard beer.
This project is made possible through the contribu on of the LIFE ?nancial instrument of the European Community. It is important in establishing the Natura 2000 network of protected sites.
BBC Grant The GBG is delighted to have been awarded £5000 from the BBC Wildlife Fund. The grant will provide good quality binoculars and telescopes for visitors to the project and will also cover the cost of the producing a new booklet for visitors. GBG’s sculpture will be painted realisƟcally
7
GBG News GBG in Arabia
Rare photograph
The GBG was invited to have
This is the only picture taken of Red
a stand at the 3rd World
28, a female released in 2008, and her
Festival of Falconry, held in
chick from 2011. It shows the chick at
Abu Dhabi in December.
around four weeks old, sadly just a
Although the Arab culture
few days before it was predated.
associated with falconry is
Hopefully 2012 will bring successful
focused around the Houbara
breeding in Wiltshire once again.
Bustard
there
is
great
interest and enthusiasm for the whole bustard family. The festival gave the GBG a wonderful opportunity to promote its work and the plight of the Great Bustard worldwide to a new, and extremely
interested
audience. A full report on this trip can be found on page 20.
Great Bustard Group reaches out to new audiences
G’day to an old friend
R28 with her chick
Eggs and Chicks Appeal begins
Over the Christmas period the GBG was delighted to
Until now the GBG has
receive a visit from an old friend of the project.
imported juvenile Great
Although not so old, Saul Cowen joined the GBG as a
Bustards from the field
volunteer when studying for his A levels and then
station in the village of
joined the team in a more formal way during Univer-
Diakovka in Saratov. Very
sity holidays and in his free time. Saul spent several
young chicks would not be
long stints in Saratov, producing his University research
able to survive the two
there as well as being a regular member of the census
day journey from there to
teams. In 2007 Saul le the UK for Australia and has
the UK, so GBG must wait
made a new life out there. Our loss has been their gain
until the birds are big and
and he is working on the Noisy Scrub Bird, a fascinating
strong enough. Once in
bird, once very close to extinction.
the UK these birds have 30 days in the confines of GBG’s
quarantine
unit
before the release process can begin. In 2012 GBG will, for the first time, be bringing back Great Bustard eggs. This will enable the resulting birds to finish all the quarantine health checks and start the release phase much earlier. It is hoped, and the experience of projects with other species shows, that this procedure will enable them to be er adapt to wild conditions and have a greater survival rate. In order to undertake this major new development the GBG needs to buy the necessary equipment. It will need a portable incubator for the journey, incubators and hatchers for the quarantine unit and heat lamps and other similar
Saul and his wife Dearne in the new covered viewing area
8
equipment. Your help is needed to buy this equipment. Please support the Eggs and Chicks Appeal, full report on page 22.
Fox Corner GBG Abroad
Introducing Vulpes Vulpes, the Red Fox AusƟn Weldon reports
© Dave Kjaer
The Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)
This article is the first in a series written by GBG’s Austin Weldon about the Red Fox, a significant predator of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda).
temperature, such as Iceland, the ArcƟc
fox fox. The fox family consists of approxi-
islands, Siberia and deserts with extreme
mately 23 species, and of these the vulpes
variaƟons in climate. Within the UK, the
foxes include 12 sub-species known as the true
Red Fox can be found occupying a wide
foxes.
variety of habitats including mountain and I am sure the readers of this magazine are familiar
moorland, dunes and coastal areas,
Foxy facts; 1
The Red Fox occupies approximately 27 million² miles (mostly within the northern hemisphere) from sea level to 10,000 feet.
2
Foxes are closely related to domesƟc dogs.
3
The Red Fox is one of the 12 true foxes out of a total of 23 species in the fox family.
with the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), a creature loved
farmland and woodland and even towns
by some, disliked by others but definitely
and ciƟes. This variety means there are few
respected by most. The fox is a creature oŌen
places in the BriƟsh Isles where foxes are
portrayed as clever and devious in folklore and
not found, which therefore increases the
children’s books and is a hugely adaptable animal
likelihood of conflict with human interests.
that occupies a wide variety of habitats covering approximately 27 million² miles ranging from sea
Taxonomically the Red Fox is classified
level to 10,000 feet in height.
within the Order Carnivora. This encompasses the largest group of predators on
The species’ range includes much of the northern
earth and a major defining feature is the
hemisphere, from the ArcƟc Circle down to north
possession of true canine teeth. The Red
Africa, from central America across to the AsiaƟc
Fox is also a member of the dog family –
steppes. Foxes have also been introduced to the
Canidae or Canids and within the Canid
Falkland Islands and Australia where the popula-
family, in addiƟon to dogs and foxes, you
Ɵon has readily adapted to the new environment.
will also find jackals and wolves as close
There are few habitats the fox cannot exist in, with the excepƟon of areas with absolute extremes in
relaƟons. The LaƟn name for the Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes translates literally to mean
9
Meet Stanislav Khuchraew
Keep the Nest of Hawks and Falcons
© Dave Kjaer
(Inset) Stas with colleague and co-founder of Studio F (x), Olga Kishinevsky (Above) Goshawk
Stanislav K h u chraew, Stas to his friends, is a professional photographer in Russia and here reminisces on how his love of the natural world began.
making new friends and ceaselessly looking
as a boy. Of course, I did want, in my dreams,
for entertainments.
to have a devoted well -trained friend on my leather glove, I thought the
me would
Every day I had been hanging around the
come, and my own bird would never be kept
forest nearby looking for some adventures
in such miserable way.
and once caught sight of a bird that didn’t hit her prey but rather took it carefully, emerg-
I was now sixteen. I had friends amongst
ing all of a sudden around a bush. Immedi-
hunters and biologists, they taught me to
ately I recognised a hawk, sharp yellow eyes,
recognise birds by their silhoue es, to read
Birds of prey capture any boy’s imagina on. I
striped breast and cat-like grace. Since then
animals tracks, to understand the laws of
was not an excep on. Raptors silhoue es
I met her con nually, I never stopped to look
nature. It was the me of my ini a on into
decorated
for her wherever I was, around the dining-
wild life mysteries.
coat of
arms and shields of
knights, novel heroes bore their names,
shack, on the sport ground, in the garden
legends sang
manners and proud
where we pinched green apples, in the forest
Once my elder friend Nikolaich, who was at
bearing. Falcons got me exited more than
– she was everywhere as it was her hun ng
that me a Diakovka natural reserve warden
others. The lightning like falcon could catch
area. Swi and maneuverable she rushed
offered me to accompany him to a distant
the fastest bird in the world, the Swi , and
through dense thicket not even touching
“cordon”. With some simple presents from
get a mighty heron, there was no one to
them, made a sudden piroue e and always
a small village store off we went. The forest
touch him in the sky. However, it was not a
gained her prey.
road
their
falcon but a hawk that I met first whilst s ll in
wound
between
pine and birch
groves, along thicket of white acacia. The The hawk eventually outshone the falcon in
small tractor worked hard climbing up
my imagina on, I became deeply charmed
dunes all covered by blooming bushes and
An ordinary Soviet boy, proud of his great
by her complicated acroba cs.
flowers then ploughing
and mighty motherland (although I tended
called an air cat, it is hardly possible to find
hollows. At the end of our journey we passed
to hide my red neck- e in my pocket right
words to be er fit her manners.
through an old apple orchard and at the far
my childhood, a Goshawk.
a er classes) I had been ‘serving my me’ in a pioneer campus. Nearly every child was supposed to stay, at least, for a month. There we lived,
10
far from our families,
She was
mellow sand in
edge of it there was a majes c black poplar Years went by, I had read everything I could
giving shelter to an ancient though s ll sturdy
find about the bird. I happened to see
wooden house with a bathhouse and a well,
hun ng birds but they always looked so
surrounded by
wretched, far from that graceful dancer I met
was what they called the cordon.
offensive vegeta on. That
The Forests of Diakovka in Russia are home to many species of raptors Two big dogs welcomed us with ferocious
dormitory and realised that he was hiding a
vegetaƟon from living close by.
bus Ɵcket to Diakovka. It was strikingly
barking though it was just a threat. They showed us to the house, eyes curious and
Nikolaich took me to the tree with the nest
unusual as a students usual habit was to
tails wagging with hope for whatever snacks
and said “Watch it but never show it to
widely announce a proposed trip in a search
we had for them. Our hosts, game keepers,
anybody because..”
of companions. Suspicions rose in my mind.
were open minded
sentence and only much later
and friendly towards
their rare guests. They invited the newcomers to have a dinner with them on a vast veranda and talked their slow talk with a cup of tea with forest berries jam. The place and people living there had that romanƟc touch of forest life isolated from city life. For me
He didn’t finish the I realised
what he hadn’t said aloud. I had been watching this breeding site for many years, had been studying it and trying not to disturb it. There were two nests, actually, the birds used both by turns.
We had talked about the nest recently, he badly wanted to have a Goshawk, but had given me his word that he would not touch the nest. And now it was the new season and there were chicks in the nest… Was he really going to steal chicks or maybe he was just going to visit fellow students working in the
those people looked more kind and cheerful
Some Ɵme later I revealed the nest locaƟon
Diakovka natural reserve? I decided there
than anybody. Their souls seemed clean and
to a few fellow biology students at their
was no sense to argue, instead I would
honest. So I remembered fondly the cordon.
promise to never climb those trees. I didn’t
outrun him... To be conƟnued. Part 2 of Stas’
Many Ɵmes since then, passing this place by,
think of the consequences then and that was
remarkable memories will be printed in the
I recalled the feeling and my soul rejoiced.
a fatal mistake. By that moment I had already
next ediƟon of OƟs.
Not far from there I first saw the nest of a Goshawk, the largest in the hawk family. So high above the ground, at the top of a mighty tree there was a long-exisƟng nest. There were three fledged chicks hopping among the branches and their restless parents were flashing in the sky. The smaller one, nearly white in colour was the male and the bigger, enƟrely grey, was the female. There was no chance to climb up this majesƟc old poplar, amongst other giants it was the greatest. Its bark was wrinkled
below and absolutely
given up crazy noƟons of keeping birds of prey in capƟvity but among my friends there were sƟll people dreaming of capturing a chick. RedFooted Falcons, Kestrels, Long-Eared-Owls, minks, fox puppies, jerboas, and even the rare Grey Tawny Owl had been captured
and
inevitably ended up dead.
smooth above, no branches in the middle,
Shortly
with a dense crown, too small for its size.
secret revelaƟon I met
The giant’s branches wove up in height,
my
nearly blocking the sky, keeping the sun
Actually I visited him in
from touching the ground, discouraging any
his room within the student
aŌer
friend
the Vladimir.
11
Bustardwatch
Wandering bustards Andrew Taylor reports It has become a familiar story newly released bustards exploring the southwest of England. This year's birds have been no exception. Black 6 was the first to leave the release site, within 24 hours, and has always seemed the most adventurous. A bustard was seen flying out to sea o Portland Bill at dawn on 5th November. The next day, Black 6 was iden fied in a field at South Huish, near Kingsbridge in south Devon. It seems to have se led well in the area, enjoying the sea views and finding fields of oil seed rape and weedy overwintered stubble to feed in. It was last seen near Soar in early December, but is unlikely to have gone far. We await the next sigh ng with interest. One of our female bustards carrying a radio necklace found its way to the coast further east, near Langton Matravers in Purbeck. It was first seen here on 21st November, a er being spo ed flying over Poole during the
061111 Peter Aley South Huish Devon
previous week. A er a few days here, it disappeared for almost a month. The next sigh ng was a big surprise - across the channel in Normandy. The bird was seen regularly around Montchaton, near the southern end of the Cherbourg peninsula, for two weeks up to the end of December. This is the first sigh ng of a Great Bustard from the project in France since 2005. In mid-December, a dierent bird with a radio transmi er was disturbed by a game shoot near Langton Herring. This happens to be the same place as Pink 1 and Pink 15 spent several months last winter. A few days later, it had moved back east a few miles, being seen at Ringstead Bay. The same a ernoon, it flew over Broadwey near Weymouth, then it was tracked down once more in fields near Buckland Ripers on 18th December. It may well se le in this area for the winter, as its compatriots did last year, but there were no further sigh ngs over Christmas.
12
181211 Paul Harris Buckland Ripers Dorset
These movements do not always have a happy ending. One male bird was carrying a satellite transmi er, so we could follow its movements on a daily basis. It set off on 31st October and moved steadily southwest for
On 17th November, a Great Bustard was seen flying over Queen Mother Reservoir, between Slough and Heathrow Airport in Berkshire.
We are keen to encourage the birds to be as unadventurous as possible! In early January, we were delighted to see interchange between the two release sites for the first time. Black 9 had been in the company of a 2004 female, Orange 15, around the new
several weeks. Sometimes it would fly ten or fi een kilometres each day, and sometimes it
Although we do not know the identity of the
release site for several months. A er a brief
would stay in the same area for days. Follow-
bird involved, a broken feather on the right
absence, both appeared early in January at
ing up the transmission points, we could see
wing provides some evidence that it is from
the original release site, in the company of
that it was hopping from oil seed rape field to
this year's releases, as captive-reared birds
females from 2005 and this year's release.
oil seed rape field. As far as we know, it was
do sometimes sustain feather damage. This
This is exactly the behaviour we hoped to see
only seen twice in this time, once by a farmer
individual was passing through an area of
when releasing birds at separate but nearby
near Gussage St Michael, and once by Dorset
completely unsuitable habitat, and we have
sites.
Wildlife Trust staff near Wool. By the begin-
no idea where its journey may have ended.
ning of December, it had reached the coast,
This is the furthest east any bird from the
near East Chaldon in Dorset. It spent several
project has ever been seen.
weeks here, and looked to be se led for the winter. GBG’s Allan Goddard, who is currently living in Dorset, was able to tell local farmers that it was around, and saw the bird several times. Sadly, although it seemed to be acquitting itself well, it was found dead by a farmer on 18th December. The culprit? A fox. In contrast to all these southwesterly movements, one bird decided to take the opposite approach.
Several young bustards at both release sites have taken the sensible but less exciting option of staying where they were released, with the adult birds which are also around.
For all the movements we know about, there are plenty more which remain a mystery at the moment. Not many birds carry satellite transmitters, so we are reliant on reports from members of the public.
These have almost certainly decided to stay for the winter.
We have made sure that lots of food, especially oil seed rape, is available, so this option is there for any bird which chooses it.
If you are lucky enough to encounter a Great Bustard, or hear about a sighting: www.greatbustard.org/about-us/sightings/ Telephone: +44 (0)1980 671 466
© Dave Kjaer
Great Bustards are disƟncƟve birds. There is a guide on our ‘Report a SighƟng’ page
13
Bustard Buddies
Bustards for children Suzy Elkins welcomes young GBG members The Great Bustard is returning to Britain. Slowly but surely this incredible bird, once commonplace in the BriƟsh countryside, is making the rolling hills of Wiltshire its home aŌer an absence of 175 years.
GBG and EducaƟon Steve Backshall, star of CBBC’s Live and Deadly show, hosted a series of ‘Deadly Days Out’ in 2010 and GBG were invited to attend to talk to the crowds about Great Bustards and the reintroduc on project. We have also attended many other such events including Bristol Fes val of Nature and BBC Wildlife Fund public days in
The public is following the reintroduc-
London and Southampton. At each event
on with interest, and the welfare of
children were invited to par cipate in
the bustard in Britain will rest with
interac ve ac vi es, to plunge their hands if
future
educa on,
they dared into a tank of live mealworms and
conserva on and respect for the birds
see a range of short films on the life of the
habitat must be a priority. With this in
Great Bustard both in Britain and Russia.
genera ons
so
mind we have introduced ‘Bustard Buddies’ a pullout and keep magazine for
Junior
Buddies’
was
supporters. born
‘Bustard
through
our
commitment to educa on in schools and organisa ons that promote knowledge and respect of the Bri sh wildlife in general, and the Great Bustard in par cular. ‘Bustard Buddies’ will bring the bustard to young supporters, schools and groups such as Brownies, Guides and Scouts, providing fun facts about the bird and the habitat it frequents. Introduced by our friendly bustard ‘Beaker,’ ‘Bustard Buddies’ launches this month and will appear in each edi on of O s thereafter.
Youngsters were given the chance to join in, thanks to the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover
14
The Junior magazine of the Great Bustard Group. Issue 1. Spring 2012
Learn how to make a baby Beaker
No ordinary looking bird!
r u s! o o t y o s u ph d l n a e S im n a y funn
INSIDE - How much do you know about Great Bustards?
Get Busy with Beaker Hi! I’m Beaker the Bustard and this is my helper Jayne! Welcome to our activity page. Today I’ll show you how to make your very own baby bustard! Simply follow the instructions below..
You will need..
Wool Scrap cardboard (ie cereal box) Scissors Fuzzy pipecleaners
Coloured card Glue Googly eyes Felt
Let’s get started..
Cut out the shapes (right). Draw round them and cut templates out of card.
Cut 2 of each circle, then cut a hole in the middle of each one to form a doughnut shape. Put the circles together in pairs.
Feet
Beak
Bigger pom pom
Smaller pom pom Wings
To make the bird..
Cut a long piece of wool off the ball. Start wrapping the wool through the hole in the middle of the card and around the outside.
Keep wrapping wool around un l the hole in the middle is almost full. Do not wrap it too ghtly as this will make the next stage very hard.
With a pair of scissors carefully poke the point into the outside edge of the circle. Cut a small amount so you can see the card.
Cut around the circle with the point of the scissors between the card. They should now look like this!
Cut a lenth of wool and e it around the pom pom, in between the two pieces of card. pull it ght and e a double knot.
Now you can remove the cardboard circles. Give your pom pom a shake and trim o any straggly bits.
Tie the two pom poms together.
Cut two 3 inch lengths of pipecleaner and s ck into the lower pom pom ball with glue. Bend the ends up a li le.
Cut feet shapes from felt and s ck to the bended pipecleaner ends.
Cut two wing shapes from felt and s ck them to the sides of the lower pom pom with glue.
Cut the beak shape from felt, fold and s ck the folded edge to the top pom pom with glue.
Glue two googly eyes above the beak and say hello to your baby Beaker!
Great
Bustard Facts
What is a Great Bustard? The Great Bustard is a very large bird that used to live in Britain but was hunted until the last one was gone.
How big is a Great Bustard? A Great Bustard can grow to be 1 metre tall, weighing up to 21kg (that’s 21 big bags of sugar!)
How far can a Great Bustard fly? As far as it wants! Great Bustards can cross the North Sea and the English Channel without any problems.
Which is heaviest, female or male? The male. It can weigh between 8 and 21kg. Females weigh just 3 to 5kg, a huge difference!
Do Great Bustards mind the cold? No. Great Bustards have been found living happily in temperatures of -30C.
Great Bustards.... ... make a ‘scrape’ in the ground instead of a nest
... are the heaviest of all flying animals alive today
... have up to a 2.5 metre wingspan
... are capable of running very, very fast
... cannot perch they have no hind claw!
... are omnivores, eating both vegetation and meat
... live in flocks called ‘droves’
... have two chicks at a time, only one usually survives
... males cannot breed until they are 5 years old
... appear on the Wiltshire Coat of Arms
Send us your funny animal photos! Email to: buddies@greatbustard.org or post to: Bustard Buddies, 1, Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Wiltshire, SP4 6JP
GBG in Hungary
Hungary Visit Kate Ashbrook reports
Great Bustard in the frost
Dévaványa Landscape ProtecƟon Area Rangers Tibor Lengyel, László Puskás, and Gábor Czifrák, with Dr.ZsoltVégvári from the University of Debrecen (second from right).
Kate Ashbrook reports on Great Bustard conservation in Dévaványa, Hungary.
established, this area was intensively-
While in this rearing pen, the chicks have
managed arable land and only one nesting
access to a small roosting shed and are
female was found annually. Since then, the
walked for up to 2 hours in a long fenced
Hungary is estimated to hold 3% of the
numbers of nesting females has increased,
outdoor corridor.
world’s Great Bustards; however, over the
with 14 families observed in 2011. The pen is
last century, a switch to more intensive
managed to contain a mosaic of only four
farming practices, winter food shortages and
arable habitat; 220 hectares is grassland,
fragmentation of bustard habitats led to their
with the remaining 180 hectares managed as
decline here. Since the 1990s, the population
lucerne, oil seed rape and fallow areas.
has increased through conservation by the
Around the pen there are tall observation
Túzokvédelmi Program (Bustard Protection
towers, allowing staff to monitor birds inside
Program) as well as changes in land-use.In
and around the pen.
November I visited the Dévaványa Landscape Protection Area (Tájvédelmi Körzet) within the Körös-Maros National Park with Dr.Zsolt Végvári from the University of Debrecen. The Dévaványa Landscape Protection Area was established in 1975 to safeguard Hungary’s largest population of Great Bustards. At the project site we met park rangers Tibor Lengyel, László Puskás, and Gábor Czifrák, who showed us around their chick rearing facilities, 6-hectare pen for injured birds and huge 400-hectare release pen. The larger pen is used to release chicks reared at the rescue centre and also supports up to 40 displaying males and 50 females in the Spring. Although it was very foggy on the day of my visit, even a er a 10-minute drive on a frozen track to the centre of the pen (it was a bone-chilling -9°C!), I still could not see the fence at the other side! Before the release pen was
When the chicks are 6-8 weeks old and are ready to fly, they are fi ed with individuallynumbered
wing-tags
or
leg-rings
and
released into an introductory area at the centre of the 400-hectare release pen. This is a small mosaic of all the habitat types in the pen, bordered by a natural fence of sunflower or maize strips. Released birds can
The project workers provide information to farmers across the 13,000 hectare Körös-Maros National Park on how to protect females and their nests by modifying their farming practices.
stay around this introductory area for up to two months before exploring more widely in the pen or leaving the release pen entirely and joining up with wild birds outside. Newly-released birds prefer to feed on lucerne, before switching to oil seed rape and will move to grassland areas during sunny
However, this is not always possible and
weather, where there is a greater abundance
around 35 endangered eggs are recovered by
and diversity of insects to feed on.
the project staff each year from nest sites up to 50 kilometres away.
Despite my limited time at the Dévaványa Landscape Protection Area, it was a
These eggs are incubated at the rescue
thoroughly
station and once hatched, chicks are given
especially enjoyable by the informative and
individually-numbered leg rings and kept
enthusiastic rangers. I hope the information
inside a small heated area until they are three
gathered during this trip, together with
weeks old. They are then transferred to a
strengthening links with Great Bustard
larger, outdoor rearing pen which is sown
conservation managers and scientists in
with alfalfa and are given a variety of food
Hungary, may help to generate new ideas for
including cooked potato, beef heart, egg,
conservation of this enigmatic species.
interesting
trip
and
made
co age cheese, ground maize and linseed.
19
GBG Abroad
International Falconry Conference David Waters reports from the United Arab Emirates
The high tech breeding rooms with their state of the art incubators
The locaƟon of the FesƟval of Falconry - quite a venue
In 2009 the second International Festival of Falconry was held in the UK, close to Reading. At short notice the GBG was invited to take a stand in the conservation tent, and was happy to oblige. The event is held every two years, and in 2011 it was, for the first time in the United Arab Emirates in a city called Al Ain in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, and again the GBG was invited to a end. Falconry has a huge cultural significance in the Arab countries. The ancient and modern relevance of the art of falconry has even been recognised by the United Nations who have listed falconry with the awkward title of " registered in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage". The Festival of Falconry was preceded by a desert camp with falconry hunting parties heading out into the desert on camels and other traditional activities such as racing Salukis - the desert greyhounds. The Festival itself was held over 3 days and had an impressive 78 nations represented. The main theme, was of course, falconry, but there were displays of conservation of raptors from the South American rainforest to Saker
20
Falcon projects in Mongolia, stands on the
for falconers, but others are released in
rehabilitation of injured raptors and on the
conservation areas. Releasing birds to be
conservation of prey species.
hunted may not be to everyone's taste, but in practical terms these birds do have a conser-
The Great Bustard is not a traditional quarry
vation value as their presence takes the
of falconers, but the bustard family is at the
pressure off wild stocks.
heart of the Arabian falconry scene. The Houbara is a medium size bustard and has
The National Avian Research Centre (NARC) is
been the traditional and highly prized quarry
situated in the desert just outside Abu Dhabi.
for falconers. Increased hunting pressure
It is a part of the International Fund for
caused local population declines and some of
Houbara Conservation and hosts research
the hunters, empowered by oil generated
scientists studying Houbara throughout their
wealth, began travelling further and further
range as well as a breeding centre for the
to hunt Houbara.
This followed wider
species. The scale and the style of the opera-
population threats and the long term survival
tion is both incredible and impressive. One
of the species was questioned.
large building with its dedicated staff produce
Significant investment was made in the development of captive breeding techniques for the Houbara and the investment paid off. Today Houbara are bred and released in huge numbers with projects ranging from Morocco (The African Houbara has recently been split into a separate species) in the west, to Pakistan in the east. Many of the birds are released for the purpose of providing quarry
a staggering 35 kgs of mealworms every day. Alongside is a similar building producing the same quantities of crickets and next to them another producing mice, all to be fed to the Houbara at the Centre. The numbers of birds produced is even more staggering. The combined centres of the International Fund For Houbara Conservation have a goal to produce 35,000 Houbara annually. The NARC in Abu Dhabi has an annual target of 5000 birds produced each year.
The techniques used are those of mass production, perhaps one thinks of the poultry industry rather than typical conservation projects when considering the scale of operations. Artificial insemination is the usual method for fertilising eggs and the eggs are artifically incubated and the chicks hand reared. One more remarkable fact about the production of Houbara is the speed of the success. It was as recently as the year 2000 that conservation breeding of Houbara was declared successful when 17 chicks were produced. Since then the numbers have climbed dramatically. Otis hopes to have a detailed account from the NARC in a future issue.
The FesƟval of Falconry was an invaluable opportunity to promote the Great Bustard to a new and a wider audience, as well as to share experiences with the Houbara projects.
The Houbara Bustard
During the festival one traditionally dressed Arab gentleman majestically approached one of the GBG's roller banners that sports a big picture of a male Great Bustard in breeding plumage. A er a dramatic pause he announced in a powerful voice "These are beautiful birds, maybe the most beautiful of all birds, but with regret - I hate them". Such a statement could not go uninvestigated and an enquiry brought the following story. The man had been hunting Great Bustards in Ukraine. Now this is an illegal activity but had apparently been organised by a Russian agency, and the story teller was of the opinion that he had all the required paperwork. The hunting party spo ed a large male Great Bustard and the hunter released his favourite and largest falcon. Once the falcon had sufficient height the bustard was flushed and the falcon immediately stooped down on it. They both hit the ground at the same time, then much to the amazement of the story teller, the Great Bustard opened its beak, swi ly killed his precious falcon, then flew off again! A sad tale for all concerned but there certainly appears to be a moral there.
(Above) FascinaƟng sights of the show (Inset) new supporters
21
GBG Appeal 2012
History in the making Alex StoĆŠ reports on an exciĆ&#x;ng new development
Since the launch of the Great Bustard Group ten years ago, chicks have been carefully hatched, reared, and selected in Russia before being transported to the UK for release.
A second phase to the re-introduc on project
standing con nues to help the GBG to
has now been put into ac on, enabling the
improve their methods for dealing with the
GBG to begin an exci ng new phase
birds.
alongside
the
proven
rear-and-release
strategy. We are aiming to make 2012 the
Hatching eggs in the UK presents an eec ve
first year that Great Bustard eggs are hatched
way to reduce the stress of transpor ng the
and reared on UK soil.
birds and acclima se them to the Wiltshire countryside. One
This approach has worked well, with many
of the most significant
improvements having been made between
Ge ng to this point has taken a great deal of
barriers to releasing healthy birds is damage
release cycles to minimise the impact on the
work from the GBG team and its partners.
to flight feathers, o en caused or exacer-
birds and increase their chances of survival
Great Bustards remain enigma c birds, their
bated by containment in enclosed spaces. By
once released. With the global Great Bustard
o en complex behaviours con nue to be
rearing the birds in the UK,
popula on under threat, crea ng a stable UK
monitored and analysed in order to gain a
enclosed spaces can be minimised as can
popula on remains a high priority.
be er understanding of them. This under-
contact with humans.
Great Bustard chicks during the rearing process
22
me spent in
GBG volunteer and friend of the bustard Fred with Russian student Georgii Mezirov
There are lots of ways to donate to the project quickly and simply. Anyone with a credit or debit card can donate securely using PayPal (no PayPal account required) on our website or make a donation on our Just Giving page. Links to all of these can be found at: greatbustard.org/appeal The GBG has also launched a brand-new range of virtual gi s purchasable on our website at h p://greatbustard.org/store The gi s range from just £10 to help rescue an Chicks at an early stage of their freedom Taking these steps
young
requires
complicated by transporting them. Two sets
even more work
of incubators will be required; incubators to
from the GBG team. The
be used in the UK to hatch the birds and
birds
require
frequent
feeding and care. Steps must be taken to avoid the birds imprinting on humans (the Great Bustard puppet is a well-known character amongst our regular readers) and these extra birds will double many of the standing release costs.
Incubating the eggs is a precise science
specialist travel incubators with independent power sources.
endangered egg from the Russian steppes, or £40 to rear a chick in the first weeks of its life, to £600 to help us purchase a portable incubator to bring eggs back from Russia to the UK. Each gi comes with a downloadable certificate, making them an idea gi
for a
loved one.
The birds must also be quaranned and undergo several health checks before they can be released. This new phase of the project is a daun ng but exci ng one.
We're also most grateful of donations via
What you can do
online at greatbustard.org/appeal as well as
To raise funds for the necessary equipment
posting updates on the eggs as they make
and expenses, which total £10,000, the GBG
their way from Russia to the UK.
cheque made payable to 'Great Bustard Group' and sent to: Great Bustard Group, 1 Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6JP, UK. There is an addressed envelope in this edition of Otis. We'll be tracking the progress of this appeal
have launched a fundraising appeal. Whilst the GBG has been fortunate to have received several grants over the past few years, these funds have already been allocated, meaning the charity of GBG
Don't forget you can also follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/bustardgroup and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/bustardgroup
supporters is needed.
23
International Relations
Great Bustards in Portugal Bill and Ann Jordan report
Ann on bustard plains at Castro Verde.
Bill and Ann Jordan visited Portugal in 2011 and report on the progress of the bird population there.
from active, successful conservation in one area of the Alentejo, Castro Verde.
Population
Great Bustards are found in about ten
both cereals and fallow areas and in the
Until 1976, the Great Bustard population of
locations on the plains of the Alentejo
winter, fallen olives.
Portugal was largely unknown. Of course,
Region. This lies to the east and south of
during this period both travel and access to
Lisbon, adjoining central Spain, and to the
Mortality of Young
the remote areas of the Alenlentejo was
north of the Algarve coastal belt and hills.
In Portugal, as in other countries, there is a
Locations
colonise the land, creating spectacular colourful landscapes and feeding areas for wildlife. Ca le and sheep are also grazed on the fallow fields. Great Bustards feed on insects (grasshoppers etc) and plant leaves in
high mortality of young birds, of 70% to 90%
relatively difficult. From 1976 to 1979 Nigel Collar (Bird Life International) gradually
The main site lies to the east of the town of
in the first twelve months of life. This loss
surveyed most of the suitable habitat, count-
Castro Verde with a population of 1,300
occurs mainly between the chick hatching
ing 650 individuals during March and April,
Great Bustards counted in 2011 (see below).
and its separation from the mother at about
when birds are concentrated at breeding
The remaining 200 birds are found in nine
six months old and is caused principally by
sites and the vegetation is short. Extrapolat-
other locations in the Alentejo, including
foxes and feral dogs. These are trapped and
ing to include other sites with incomplete
Beira, Moura and, to the west of Elvas, Vila
shot.
coverage, a total population of up to 1,000
Fernando.
was suggested.
Some of these populations have declined in recent years due to intensification of agriculture with the loss of fallow habitat.
Later, in 1980, Marcia Pinto and Paul Goriup (Now Vice President of GBG and Chair of the Technical Working Groups) found 844 birds and in 1981 Marcia Pinto counted a total of 1,015. Before EU entry (1984) agriculture in Portugal was at a relatively low intensity, and concern was then expressed about the effects of future change in land use, particularly the loss of fallow areas.
Impressively, the latest national survey in March/April 2011 revealed around 1,500 birds. However, this total results mainly
24
Some deaths occur from power line collisions. For example, at Castro Verde, there are around 20 fatalities per year, even though the 40 km of power lines are marked.
Dispersal This is especially true of the population near
In summer and winter, young males, as single
Moura, whilst that near Vila Fernando may
birds or small groups, fly up to 200km to the
be more stable. A further ‘new’ group of
north, near to Lisbon. They also cross the
about 30 birds was recently discovered in the
Spanish border, with possible interchange
Guadiana Valley near Mertola (2011).
between populations. (Some young birds
Habitats
have been fi ed with numbered wing tags, as
The main habitat consists of remote, rolling plains. These are cropped with one year cereals, followed by 3 to 4 years of fallow, during which grass and wild flowers re-
on Salisbury Plain).
Mature males usually move locally as a group for only about 30 km from the breeding areas.
Bustard Conservation at Castro Verde A bustard conservation project was started at Castro Verde in the 1990’s, because some of the most important areas for ‘steppe’ birds were being bought by paper companies intending to grow Eucalyptus tree plantations. With funding help from a European Community LIFE Programme (1998), the LPN (Liga para a Proteccao da Natureza) was able to buy five farms, a total of 1,700 hectares (4,000 acres) and to manage them for the conservation of steppe birds. An additional farm was recently bought.(total 1,800 ha).
No chemical sprays are used on the LPN farmland. The total SPA (Special Protection Area) now covers 80,000 ha. (200,000 acres) around Castro Verde. Farmer participation is optional and varies from 25% to 50% according to the payments The main land ‘prescriptions’ here are now :1. The earliest date for cereal harvest of 15th June (to prevent nest destruction). 2. The percentage of land under cereals is around 25% (to provide sufficient fallow area for feeding and nesting). A thin strip of cereal crop is o en sown through the fallow area. 3. Maximum stocking densities are, for ca le (0.7/ha) and sheep (5/ha) (to prevent nest trampling).
4. The growing of legume crops such as beans
Also, about 10 miles north east of Castro
and chick peas for bustard food.
Verde, on E 802 (YP2) road to Beja, turn le at Entradas on to minor road which runs to the
5. Hunting is controlled in the SPA and
north west to Carregueiro.
traditional farming is encouraged. Please visit the LPN Information Centre The long-term increase in numbers of Great
(Centro de Educao Ambiental de Castro
Bustard at Castro Verde is impressive:-
Verde). This is located along the old road
1986
500 (approx.) (The Life fund
(Avenue Bombeiros Voluntarios), which runs
was introduced in 1998).
north east from Castro Verde, parallel with
2002
920
the new road E 802. A er 6 km. turn right on
2005
1,037
to a track towards the Centre. This is open
2011
1,300
Tuesday to Saturday inclusive: Telephone (00
The sex ratio in 2011 was 1.1 females to each male (compared to a 50:50 ratio at the main Spanish site at Villafafila).
351)
286 32 83 09. The building is well
equipped and will provide information and Land Rover trips to see the birds in the area. While we were there in June, a farmer
Visiting Castro Verde from the United Kingdom
telephoned to report a female with 3
Late March to early May is the best time to
Accommodation is available in Castro Verde
see the Great Bustard display. There are
at ‘Aparthotel do Castro’, Rua Seara Nova,
numerous flights from the UK to Faro
7780-163 Castro Verde, Portugal, Telephone
(Algarve) from which ‘hire cars’ can take a
(00 351) 286 32 02 50 .
new motorway (IP1) towards Lisbon, a er about 50 miles turn east for Castro Verde.
It is very important to avoid disturbing the birds on leks, bustards should be viewed from public roads from which they can easily be seen. For example, 10 miles east of Castro Verde, on road N123, towards Mertola, look to the south just before the village of Sao Marcos da
chicks!---3 egg clutches are common here.
We gratefully acknowledge the help and information kindly supplied to us by staff at the LPN Centre at Castro Verde, Joao Guilherme and Catia Marques (June 2011) ( and Pedro Rocha 2005)
Contact addresses joao. guilherme@lpn.pt catia.marques@lpn.pt Bill and Ann Jordan (2012) ann.31jordan@btinternet.com
Ataboeira and a pine plantation on a hill top.
Horses grazing Castro Verde bustard plains
25
Genus Otidae
A look at the bustard family - Otidae by Prof. Estlin Waters ened with extinction but none have become extinct in recent times. They nest on the
only one-third the weight of the males.
ground with only a minimum of nesting
Estlin Waters Prof.
material and sometimes none at all. Amid
This is known as sexual dimorphism which is
much confusion, and many contradictions,
reversed in the two Indian Floricans where
there is a diversity of mating systems. Some
the females are the heavier. The lightest
species may be monogamous, others form
Bustard is the Lesser Florican of India at less
tenuous pair bonds and the Great Bustard is
than half a kilogram. No wonder it is difficult
promiscuous. In all species, as far as is
to generalize about a Family where one
known, the males take no part in either the
species weighs some 40 times as much as
incubation or rearing the young. Bustards
another.
Many people are surprised to learn that there are some two dozen species of Bustard in the world.
are long lived but have slow reproductive
tropical grassy plains, sometimes open bush
rates. Usually not more than two eggs are
and thorn scrub, tall grass and now increas-
laid except for the Lesser Florican and the
ingly farm-land. Some species occupy near
Li le Bustard which can lay up to four or five.
desert regions. They are usually silent but all
The exact number depends on whether
Incubation is usually three to four weeks.
have some vocalizations: a few have a clear
ornithologists classify two birds as one species or whether they divide one into two species. One classification suggested there were 30 species of Bustard, another that there were 22. The third volume of The Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al 1996, Lynx Editions, Barcelona) describes 25 species in the family Otididae. These are all illustrated in colour and each has a map showing their world distribution. Much of this article is taken from that authoritative text, wri en by Nigel Collar, but it is o en difficult to generalize and many species have not been studied in detail.
whistle and others a variety of snorts, frog-
Young Bustards are active immediately a er hatching (precocial) and leave the nest quickly (nidifugous). As a family, Bustards have various characteristics: they have long necks and no hind toes, they are highly territorial, flying rather li le but capable of powerful and sustained flight on their long broad wings. It is thought that many Bustards spend days, possibly weeks, without taking to the air. They generally move with a steady walk on long stout legs. They lack a preen or uropygial gland but have
No Bustards occur in the Americas but otherwise Bustards have a wide geographical spread.
dense friable pinkish powder-down which is
They are an ancient family probably originat-
Many people are also surprised at the
ing in sub-Saharan Africa where there are
variation in size of the members of the
now 21 species.
Their position in the
Bustard family. According to The Handbook
evolutionary tree has been uncertain but
of the Birds of the World the male Kori
they are now thought to be most closely
Bustard reaches 19 kg and the Great Bustard
related to the cranes (Graidae).
Earlier
18 kg although some hunters have claimed
classifications, for over 250 years, had related
up to 24 kg for the Great Bustard. However
the Bustards to the Ostrich, rails, waders, the
these weights are exceptional and most male
African Secretary-bird and even flamingoes.
Bustards weigh considerably less.
No wonder then that one textbook says
smaller species of Bustards are known as
Bustards “have traditionally been classified in
Floricans.
what might almost be called a chaotic manner”. Four species of Bustard are threat-
26
Bustards occupy temperate and
used to groom their feathers. Bustards do not bathe in water.
Some
In the large Bustards the females are two-thirds the height and
like calls and belches. They are omnivorous and feed on what is readily available which is mostly vegetable ma er, insects, including locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles, and carrion.
It has been estimated that the White-quilled
The Australian Bustard uses its oesophagus
only in severe weather conditions, while
Bustard of South Africa may eat 200,000
to distend its neck which droops almost to
others are mainly sedentary. Most Bustards
termites in a year.
the ground. Bustard displays are usually on
have dispersive movements and some are
the ground, often on an eminence. Eight
nomadic. The larger species tend to move in
Young birds are fed mostly on insects, bill to bill, and the breeding season is usually timed to coincide with insect availability. Young birds remain with their mothers for many months after fledging which is usually at about five weeks. Bustards do sometimes drink but this appears to be unnecessary in most species. Bustards often have highly
species, especially those inhabiting areas
flocks often flying fairy low.
with high vegetation, have aerial displays,
usually at night.
some flying up, others leaping several meters
species have rather limited distributions.
in the air and parachuting down. Bustards
Others such as the Great Bustard have a
typically rest drawing their heads back on the
highly fragmented breeding distribution from
shoulders rather than with the bill tucked in
Morocco in the southwest to Mongolia in the
the wing. This is also the position the females
northeast and the Australian Bustard which
take when incubating.
occupies most of Australia and southern New
Bustards are usually shy and elaborate displays which are very variable retiring, especially where persefrom species to species. cuted, but can o en be closely Great Bustards in spring have a approached on horseback or in a neck pouch (known as the gular vehicle. sac) which they use to inflate Movements of Bustards are variable: some of their necks. the more northerly species migrate, often
Migration is
In general the African
Guinea. Some Bustards are, or were, present in large numbers.
In the 1930s, some
200,000 to 300,000 Li le Bustards wintered in Azerbajan of which, oďŹƒcial records show, 40,000 to 50,000 were shot each year. Flocks of Li le Bustards were reported as huge in the former USSR, some numbered 20,000 birds. Most species, where numbers are known, are in decline but as a paradox the more recent estimated populations are sometimes larger, due to more accurate counts and more observations.
Perhaps the Great Indian Bustard is most at risk of extinction. Its numbers have fallen from 12,000 in the 1960s to 1,500 to 2,000 in the 1980s and now comes an estimate, released by Birdlife, of just 250 individuals. Oh yes, there is also a Homo sapiens family of Bustards. According to J H Gurney (1921), this family name originated in Yorkshire sometime before 1391. Gurney thought it not improbable that the name came from the bird.
We now have several Bustards as
members of our Great Bustard Group! Some live in the United States –a part of the world where their avian
namesakes
never reached.
27
Beautiful Bustards Visiting the GBG
Š Dave Kjaer
28
Enclose payment, glue here, seal and post to the address overleaf
Join the GBG & help us to bring the bustard back www.greatbustard.org
z
membership@greatbustard.org
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. Simply fill out the form & send to the address shown above or give to a GBG staff member. Membership includes:
Quarterly magazine OTIS z Booklet about the Great Bustard z Free guided visits of the release site z Invitations to all Fundraising and Social Events z Membership badge z Car sticker Annual Membership (tick box) Ordinary £20
Family £25
Fellow £75
Life Member (Single payment of min £500)
Renewal
Your details Organisation (if applicable) .......................................................................................................................................................................... Title .......................................... Forename ....................................... Surname ......................................................................................... Address ................................................................................................. Phone ............................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................
Email ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................
Post code .............................................................................................. Payment method (please tick) Cheque (payable to the Great Bustard Group)
Monthly Standing Order
Instruction to your Bank/Building Society to pay Monthly Standing Order To the Manager Bank/Building Society
Account Name ........................................................................... Branch Address
Sort Code .................................................................................. Account Number ......................................................................
Post Code
Please pay the Great Bustard Group (Nat West, 48, Blue Boar Row, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DF, Account Number 29562325, Sort Code 54 - 41 - 19) the sum of (minimum £1.66) £ .................. on 1st day of each month until further notice.
Donation I would like to make a donation to the Great Bustard Group of £ .................................................................................................. Gift Aid. If you are a UK taxpayer, the Inland Revenue will give us an extra 25p for every pound you give. Please tick the box and sign. It’s that simple! I am a UK taxpayer and request that my membership and all gifts of money that I have made in the past four years and all future gifts of money that I make to the Great Bustard Group from the date of this declaration be Gift Aid donations. I understand that I must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6th April one year to 5 April the next) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year.
Signature ...................................................................................... Date ................................................................................................
GBG is a registered charity number 1092515
www.greatbustard.org
30 Fold here, glue or tape edges closed Affix stamp here
Membership Secretary, The Great Bustard Group, 1 Down Barn Close, Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, SP4 6JP.
We need you! 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 bunting, 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 lynnederry@greatbustard.org.
Do you need a speaker? David Waters is a committed conservationist and countryman, providing wonderfully engaging talks on a vast range of subjects, from wildlife, historical events, the English countryside and country sports to the Zulu wars and antique weaponry.
Step out of mundane life and into œšaŝdinŌn living THERAPEUTIC SESSIONS Benefits: s move forward s build confidence to break through limitations s solve long and short term problems of all kinds s cope with physical pain s create a better quality of life
ART THERAPY Benefits: s increase self esteem & self confidence s stimulate imagination & creativity s identify feelings & blocks to emotional expression
T’AI CH’I CH’UAN & CH’I GONG CLASSES
www.david-waters.com/speaking
07800 649498
Benefits: s stress & tension relief s improve posture s increase mobility s energise your body s calm your mind
info & booking 07709 533 665 connect@theheartofbeing.co.uk
www.theheartofbeing.co.uk
Ia`e t]e fřht htep todan into a Wgand nel tomŞol® The Heart of Being is located in the beautiful surroundings of Courtyard Cottage at The Grange, Winterbourne Dauntsey SP4 6ER
See www.greatbustard.org
Š Dave Kjaer