PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The great bustard (Otis tarda) is a globally threatened species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and a priority for LIFE+ funding. It was once found in large parts of lowland Europe, but started to decline in the 18th Century and is now absent from much of its original range. It became extinct in the UK in 1832 and in numerous other European countries during the 19th and 20th centuries. Though it is a ‘flagship’ species for lowland and dry grassland Natura 2000 sites across Europe, it is continuing to decline in most countries where it is still present. In 2004, permission was granted by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for a 10-year trial reintroduction programme on and around the Salisbury Plain SPA in the south of England. To date, this programme has succeeded in establishing a population of some 15 great bustards. The first great bustard chicks to hatch in the UK for more than 170 years appeared in June 2009. A mid-term review of the reintroduction programme informed the development of this LIFE+ project.
OBJECTIVES
The Reintroducing Otis Tarda project aimed to increase the population of great bustards on Salisbury Plain by extending the reintroduction programme to support the establishment of a long-term, self-sustaining population. The project planned to:
RESULTS
The Reintroducing Otis tarda project created a partnership between the beneficiary, the RSPB, and The Great Bustard Group, Bath University and Natural England to improve great bustard numbers in the target area. Though the target of establishing a population of least 50 individuals was not achieved, 17 individuals as of March 2015 are known to inhibit the area. In particular, the project addressed the problems relating to the poor survival rate of released birds. It undertook a detailed monitoring programme that helped identify the dominant males most likely to be breeding with females and the next in line. Monitoring also further revealed other relevant aspects of the birds’ behaviour and its preferred habitats. This knowledge helped inform the selection of release sites and their protection with electric fences to the benefit of nesting females: two new release sites were identified and the optimum habitat conditions established. The project also worked with gamekeepers to reduce the number of foxes in sensitive areas.
Furthermore, the project team collected reports of sightings in order to determine the species’ migration routes. It was discovered that they move in the south-westerly direction in the same was as Russian great bustards.
The reintroduction methodology was also improved, correcting dietary problems that have affected reared birds in the past. Improved release techniques and conditions at release sites can achieve 100% survival rates. The project also demonstrated the feasibility of importing eggs from Spain – hatching was shown to be a success – though the survival rate of the released birds was still to be determined at the end of the project.
Finally, a total of 14 events were held to highlight the land management options available to farmers as well as government advisers and NGOs. Habitat advice was provided to farmers managing around 34 000 ha. Additionally, a Species Action Plan, a Release Strategy and a Long-Term Recovery Strategy were produced and made available on the RSPB and LIFE websites. The long-term impact of the project was also maximised by establishing connections with similar projects across Europe.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
The Reintroducing Otis tarda project created a partnership between the beneficiary, the RSPB, and The Great Bustard Group, Bath University and Natural England to improve great bustard numbers in the target area. Though the target of establishing a population of least 50 individuals was not achieved, 17 individuals as of March 2015 are known to inhibit the area. In particular, the project addressed the problems relating to the poor survival rate of released birds. It undertook a detailed monitoring programme that helped identify the dominant males most likely to be breeding with females and the next in line. Monitoring also further revealed other relevant aspects of the birds’ behaviour and its preferred habitats. This knowledge helped inform the selection of release sites and their protection with electric fences to the benefit of nesting females: two new release sites were identified and the optimum habitat conditions established. The project also worked with gamekeepers to reduce the number of foxes in sensitive areas.Furthermore, the project team collected reports of sightings in order to determine the species’ migration routes. It was discovered that they move in the south-westerly direction in the same was as Russian great bustards.
The reintroduction methodology was also improved, correcting dietary problems that have affected reared birds in the past. Improved release techniques and conditions at release sites can achieve 100% survival rates. The project also demonstrated the feasibility of importing eggs from Spain – hatching was shown to be a success – though the survival rate of the released birds was still to be determined at the end of the project.
Finally, a total of 14 events were held to highlight the land management options available to farmers as well as government advisers and NGOs. Habitat advice was provided to farmers managing around 34 000 ha. Additionally, a Species Action Plan, a Release Strategy and a Long-Term Recovery Strategy were produced and made available on the RSPB and LIFE websites. The long-term impact of the project was also maximised by establishing connections with similar projects across Europe.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
