BOOST TO BUSTARDS

The Great Bustard Project received a significant boost last week when the Great Bustard Enclosure was extended to nearly double its previous size.

The Great Bustard Group had managed to fund the erection of the fence posts but did not have the resources to finish the work in time for the sensitive period in the spring when the Great Bustards display. There were also considerations for the other rare birds which use the area for displaying and then nesting.

Help came from Solstice Park who made a generous donation to the Great Bustard Group. This covered the cost of purchasing the wire netting needed to complete the enclosure.

Solstice Park, the 160-acre mixed-use business park adjacent to the A303 in the growth town of Amesbury was keen to engage in this quintessentially Wiltshire project. The new release pen has been aptly named 'The Solstice Park Enclosure'.

David Waters, Director of the Great Bustard Group said:

"It is only with the help of local businesses that the restoration of the Great Bustard has been possible. The donation form Solstice Park has given as real boost to the project and one that will make a big impact for several years to come".

"The Great Bustard Group is delighted to have received this help from Solstice Park. It is a good example of the Wiltshire business community helping restore Wiltshire's Bird".

Alexandra Spencer, Marketing Executive for Solstice Park commented:

"Solstice Park is delighted to be sponsoring the Great Bustard Group, which forms part of our community involvement strategy. We were impressed and inspired by the charity's work and thus, very keen to be involved in this innovative project to help reintroduce the Great Bustard back into our habitat. We hope that the new release pen will enable the project to be an even greater success".

The final and somewhat daunting task was to erect the wire. Help was given by the soldiers from X1X Regiment Royal Artillery, The Highland Gunners, from Larkhill. Although only recently returned from Afghanistan, they found time to work alongside the Great Bustard Group volunteers and complete the fencing in just two days.

At the completion of the work a small flock of Great Bustards were seen to fly in from Salisbury Plain and land in the enclosure so the early signs are that they approve!