DS Great Bustards

Great Bustards, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, Endangered, Gin, Downton

REINTRODUCING

THE GREAT BUSTARD

The return of Wiltshire's iconic bird

Bustards are large birds frequently cited as the world's heaviest flying birds. Most prefer to run or walk over flying. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. The birds are highly social and live in groups, called droves. These droves are normally split between male and females, who come together during winter and the breeding season.

Once a familiar sight in grassland areas of southern Britain, the world's heaviest bird suffered a dramatic decline in the early 19th Century due to hunting and a change in farming practices, quickly becoming extinct. Then in 1998 one man started a mission to bring them back to their native grounds in Wiltshire, his name was David Waters.

GREAT BUSTARD FACTS

Charity Patron: King Charles III
Latin Name: Otis Tarda.
Population Size: 33,005 (declining).
Habitat: Open Farmland and plains.
Lifespan: 25 - 30 years.
Diet: Omnivorous.
Favourite Foods: Insects, lucerne, red clover, nettles, grain, yarrow, rocket, vetch (pea family), sainfoin and grapes.
Lucerne and Red Clover are being planted by farmers across the Wiltshire Downs to help support the conservation effort, this helps recondition the soils, as the plants lock nitrogen into the ground.

GLOBAL STATUS

In 1988 the species was seen as THREATENED, but last year in 2023 it was placed onto the ENDANGERED list.

It is estimated that there are between 29,600-33,005 bustards in the wild, including those in conservation programmes. Spain now accounts for over 75% of the worlds population.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the Great Bustard population is declining rapidly globally due to the loss of its habitats due to agricultural practices and urban expansion. Climate change has exacerbated these effects with extreme weather events and wildfires. In addition, illegal killing, elevated predation rates and disturbances are contributing to their demise.

In 1930 Germany had a population of 4,000, in 1995 only 55 remained. Berlin Zoo now has started an active conservation programme. The Indian and Pakistan once had a strong population, but it has been decimated through illegal hunting, as the meat has been wrongly considered an aphrodisiac. One shooting party from the middle east was found to have killed 2,100 birds. The situation is so bad, they will soon be extinct within this region.

Current forecasts show that by 2040 the population will have declined by another 79% adding the species to the CRITICALLY endangered list.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE

The males are heavily built, identified by their bulging neck, heavy chest and characteristically cocked tail. The males also develop a band of russet-coloured feathers on their lower neck and breast, which widens and brightens as they get older. Males also grow large impressive bold white moustache whiskers.

Males exceed a weight of 20 kg (44 lb) and can attain a total length of 150 cm (59 in), often 50% bigger & sometimes more than four times the weight of the females.

Male, Great Bustard, Conservation, Wiltshire

MALE BUSTARD

Has white whiskers & upright tail.

MALE BUSTARD

Has white whiskers & upright tail.

PLUMAGE

Both have a tiger stripe plumage

PLUMAGE

Both have a tiger stripe plumage

Great Bustard, Wiltshire, Downton, Conservation, Chick, Downton Gin

FEMALE BUSTARD

Smaller, greyb throat, flat tail

FEMALE BUSTARD

Smaller, greyb throat, flat tail

LEKKING

In spring, the normally well-camouflaged Great Bustards undergo a dramatic transformation. The males puff themselves up, their plumage turning into a striking display of white. They choose their ground and perform an elaborate ritual—flipping their wings and tails inside out, inflating their gular pouch (a balloon-like sac in their neck), and erecting their whisker-like feathers near their beak. This spectacular display, known as lekking, is designed to attract females.

The white feathers of the male are UV reflective, and when they turn their backs to the sun, they can be seen from several kilometers away. Males gather at traditional lekking sites, returning year after year to compete for attention. The largest, strongest males dominate the center of the lek, while younger or weaker ones are pushed to the edges. Females carefully select their mates, often judging by the whiteness of the male’s rear plumage.

If a female is interested, she circles the male before choosing her partner based on his size, posture, and display performance. However, this brief courtship is the only interaction between the sexes—once mating is complete, males take no role in raising the chicks and return to their drove for the rest of the year.

Great Bustard, Lek, Courtship, Squabble, Male, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, Conservation

MALE BUSTARD

In full display on Salisbury Plain

MALE BUSTARD

In full display on Salisbury Plain

YOUNG MALES

Squabble over patch of ground

YOUNG MALES

Squabble over patch of ground

MALE BUSTARD

Showing white plummageto females

MALE BUSTARD

Showing white plummageto females

NESTING & REARING

Once mating occurs, the female Great Bustard leaves the lek to nest and raise her chicks alone, as males provide no parental care. She is solely responsible for incubation and chick rearing, relying on her cryptic brown plumage to blend into the landscape and protect her nest. Unlike the males’ bold displays, her muted feathers offer natural camouflage, which is essential since she nests in shallow scrapes on open ground in grasslands or farmland. However, breeding in early spring means there is little crop cover, leaving her highly visible to predators such as foxes and birds of prey, resulting in high egg and chick losses.

She typically lays 1–3 eggs in late spring or early summer and incubates them alone for 21–28 days, remaining motionless to avoid detection. Once hatched, the precocial chicks can walk and forage soon after birth but depend on their mother for warmth, protection, and food. She leads them to insect-rich feeding areas, ensuring they receive the nutrients needed for rapid growth. By two months old, the young begin to develop their flight feathers and practice flying, while their adult plumage starts forming. The bond between a mother and her chicks is remarkably strong, often lasting until the following spring’s breeding season.

Despite this maternal dedication, natural chick mortality is over 80% in the first year, with only a fraction surviving into adulthood. Those that do survive can live for 15–20 years in the wild. To support the species, the Great Bustard Conservation Group rescues abandoned nests, hand-rears chicks, and releases them back into the wild to boost populations. Female Great Bustards demonstrate extraordinary resilience, ensuring the survival of the next generation, while the flamboyant males return to their drove after the breeding season.

Great Bustard and Chicks, Conservation, Wiltshire, David waters

FEEDING

Huntinging for grubs

FEEDING

Huntinging for grubs

CHICKS

Leave the nest after 1 day

CHICKS

Leave the nest after 1 day

Camouflage

On the nest, it is impossible to see her

Camouflage

On the nest, it is impossible to see her

Great Bustards, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, Endangered, Gin, Enford, Compton

CONSERVATION

GREAT BUSTARD GROUP

The tireless work of one man with a dream

SPONSOR

WORK ON SALISBURY PLAIN

In 1998 David Waters created the Great Bustard Conservation Group whose objective was to bring back the Great Bustard to its old breeding grounds on Salisbury Plain. It has not been an easy journey for him, but with an amazing team and generous benefactors many of the hurdles and obstacles have been overcome. The first release of birds occurred in 2004. To date there are now over 50 Bustards, with the population now established and beginning to breed self-sufficiently. They hope that in 2024 the population will grow to 75.

Naturally birds do get injured, these are collected and nursed back to health. Pending on the injuries the majority will be released back into the wild. Those with serious injuries and unable to fly will find new homes, where they can flourish under supervision. One such place is the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve who have planted 3 hectares of lucerne, vetch, sainfoin and clover as natural food sources.

For this to really become a success story, when globally the populations are in decline, the group need to provide more safe nesting areas, not just on Salisbury Plain. This can only be done by working alongside the farming community, renting or even buying land. They also need the UK’s statutory agencies support, to ensure the Great Bustard receives the recognition and protection it deserves. This can only happen through public support, more importantly your support.

David waters, Great Bustards, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, Endangered, Gin, Enford, Compton

RELEASE

Abandoned chicks are reared by David

RELEASE

Abandoned chicks are reared by David

WILTSHIRE SAFARI

Roe deer and Bustard Drove

WILTSHIRE SAFARI

Roe deer and Bustard Drove

Great Bustard group, Soil Conservation, lucerne, alfalfa, rewilding, great bustards

COVER CROPS

Sowing Red Clover and Lucerne

COVER CROPS

Sowing Red Clover and Lucerne

CONSERVATION

Lucerne and Red Clover

A Lifeline for Great Bustards and the Land

A Lifeline for Great Bustards

Red clover and lucerne (alfalfa) are vital to Great Bustards, offering both a nutrient-rich food source and a safe habitat for breeding and chick-rearing. As protein-packed leguminous plants, they provide essential vitamins and minerals that help sustain adult bustards, particularly during the energy-intensive breeding season. Their young, tender shoots and flowers are highly digestible, making them an ideal food source for growing chicks,
supporting their rapid development.

Beyond nutrition, lucerne and red clover fields create excellent nesting habitats, shielding females and their chicks from predators. Their dense, mid-height vegetation offers natural camouflage, while still allowing the birds to monitor their surroundings. Additionally, these plants attract a wide variety of insects, a critical food source for young bustards, who rely on high-protein insects in their early weeks to thrive. By cultivating these plants, farmers and conservationists can enhance Great Bustard habitats, ensuring population sustainability and promoting biodiversity.

The King and Queen of the Plant World

Lucerne and red clover are often called the 'king and queen' of plants due to their profound benefits for soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. These deep-rooted legumes are natural soil enhancers, capable of fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria in their root nodules. This process enriches the soil with essential nutrients, reducing the need for
synthetic fertilizers while boosting soil fertility.

Lucerne, the 'king,' is drought-resistant, rich in nutrients, and a staple for livestock feed, making it a key player in sustainable farming. Meanwhile, red clover, the 'queen,' attracts pollinators, improving soil aeration and organic matter. Together, they improve crop rotations, prevent erosion, and support thriving ecosystems.

A Forgotten Legacy in a Modern World

Once revered by the Romans as the "Father of All Plants," these two botanical powerhouses have faded from modern agriculture, overshadowed by industrial farming practices. However, their role in sustainable land management remains crucial. Their deep root systems break up compacted soil, increase water retention, and reduce erosion, helping to combat land degradation. They also attract beneficial insects that naturally control crop pests, reducing the need for pesticides and supporting ecological balance. Additionally, these plants contribute to carbon sequestration, storing
atmospheric carbon in the soil and helping mitigate climate change (a big win).

Great Bustard, Salisbury, Endangered, Species, King Charles, Downton, Bird, Wiltshire, Downton

HELP SUPPORT

GREAT BUSTARD GIN

Celebrating the English Countryside

Crafted with Conservation in Mind

Base: Grain Spirit
Botanicals: Yarrow, lucerne, red clover and wild rocket
Style: London Dry / contemporary
Available: Local shops and online
Refills: In 700ml packs only

Great Bustard Gin was created in partnership with David and the Great Bustard Group, blending conservation with craftsmanship. Inspired by the bird’s natural diet, we explored a variety of botanicals that Great Bustards enjoy—though we drew the line at insects! After developing a balanced base recipe, we refined the spirit to achieve depth and complexity while ensuring it remained accessible to all palates (sorry, fennel and anise, you didn’t make the cut!). The final result is a light, warming gin, with sweetness from clover, peppery notes from rocket, and a soft ginger and cardamom backbone.

The bottle’s distinctive triangular design, created by Rob Bartlet, pays tribute to the Great Bustard’s tridactyl feet, which feature three forward-facing toes and no hind toe (hallux)—a unique adaptation that makes them fast runners but strictly ground-dwelling birds.

By choosing Great Bustard Gin, you're directly supporting the charity’s conservation efforts, helping to restore and protect vital habitats for these magnificent birds. If you see us at an event, you may even meet one of the dedicated conservationists behind this incredible success story.

Each month we donate money to the charity, from our sales. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Rewilding Juniper, Downton, Distillery, Wiltshire Downs, Explorer's Gin, Downton Distillery, International Award, China, Masters Medal, Gold, Salisbury, Craft, Salisbury, Wiltshire, Small Batch, Gin, Vodka, sustianability, eco, green

OUR JOURNEY

CARBON NEUTRAL

DISCOVER

Juniper Communis, Female Cones on branches, Downton Distillery, Wiltshire

REWILDING ONTO THE DOWNS

JUNIPER

DISCOVER

WANT AN ADVENTURE?

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