We’re thrilled to share that for the first time ever recorded, Great Bustard nests were found within Cranborne Chase National Landscape in May 2025.
Nesting has previously been seen on the border, but in 2025 two nests were found in a field of Sainfoin located North of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, thanks to the use of FiPL funded drones.
In May 2025, in response to the local farmer letting the Great Bustard Group know they were planning on mowing the crop, a volunteer team of two set out with the drones as a precautionary exercise.
To their surprise, two nests were found. As a result, the team decided to rescue the eggs (under license) as Great Bustards will notoriously sit tight on their nests when threatened, and many birds and eggs have been lost to farm machinery this way in the past.
The eggs were incubated and then hand reared successfully for release into the Salisbury Plain landscape in October 2025.
Follow on from this, the team believe the same two females nested again in June 2025 just on the border and have shared their joy in seeing the birds spread their nesting, even if over a few close fields.
The project demonstrates the importance of FiPL funding and highlights the effectiveness not only of thermal drone usage, but maintaining positive working relationships amongst those working the landscape.
The team at The Great Bustard Group have started training for 2026 nesting already, and will soon be back out nest searching.
Thanks to the Great Bustard Group