Earlier this year, the Great Bustard Group travelled to Germany to study their breeding programme and bring proven methods back to the UK. Central to the German approach is the rearing of the chicks, alongside habitat management. Farmers are encouraged to adopt bustard-friendly practices: cutting back on fertiliser use, maintaining lighter vegetation, creating set-aside strips within fields, and timing mowing to avoid destroying nests. Predator-proof fencing is also installed around breeding areas to provide safe refuges.
In the past, UK-reared chicks were raised in enclosures and released by simply opening the door, leaving them to adapt alone. This year, the team trialed the German method. Once the chicks had matured, the aviary doors were opened each morning and, accompanied by a rearer, the young birds ventured out at their own pace. This daily exercise allowed them to familiarise themselves with the landscape, experience the outside world in a controlled way, and crucially, practice flying.
Their early flights were tentative yet steady, most circling close before returning. A carefully managed feeding routine reinforced this behaviour, building their strength and confidence. By late October, the birds will be ready for full release. They will be fitter, better foragers, and more resilient, giving the population a stronger chance to thrive.
