Great Bustards

All but 5 of this years Great Bustard chicks have now been released onto Salisbury Plain - the remaining 5 to be released tomorrow. As a small flock of 14 birds had been feeding together in the same area for most of the week I had 7 hours in a hide from first light this morning. Unfortunately only 4 came close enough (in poor light) to photograph although just after first light I was rewarded with close views 8 birds flying right in front of the hide.

The four birds in this image are from three different releases Purple 5 from 2007, Blue 3 from 2009 and the 2 Pink birds are from this years release.

Canon 1D Mk1V + 500mm f7.1 1/320 iso 1600 (Cropped by approx 25%)

It's a great project they run down there on the plains.

When ever I've been down to see them at the release site they have been very elusive, so I imagine getting shots is quite tricky.

Rob

You did well to see them! There was nothing on show when I went down there. Judging by the area you have to be quite lucky to get them close enough to photograph so it looks like you were quite lucky here

Saker fodder on the hoof

I wonder what Jack Mavrogordato would have made of bustards on his beloved hawking grounds David.

I know the study group need the tags but

Nice to see these birds doing well though

Have never seen these before David so thanks for sharing

It’s a very interesting post, great to see!

Bob.

Looks like they're having a race
I've never seen birds with numbers on before.
Well captured.

Geoff.

Interesting and well captured image. Thanks for sharing.