Saturday 6th April 2024 - Salisbury Plain/Langford Lakes

 

On Saturday 12 Bath RSPB members went on a trip to Salisbury Plain nr Enford for a guided trip to see Great Bustards. The trip was restricted too 12 as we were taken by 2 Land Rover's (6 in each) it was a 2 hour trip so later in the day we went on to Langford Lakes for the afternoon.

On the way to our meeting point at Enford Village Hall our day started the 1st of many Red Kites we were to see in both locations also Red Legged Partridge that we saw in transit and also at Langford. We also logged Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow, along with Woodpigeon. Setting off onto the plain towards where the Bustards had been seen we added Corn Bunting and Stock Dove to our totals. When we arrived where the Bustards were, out in the middle of this huge field were the Great Bustards I knew they were large birds but wow much bigger than I expected so I have looked out some sizes for you all. An adult male is between 90 – 105cm tall, 115cm long with a wingspan of 2.1 – 2.7m and weigh up to a huge 18kgs, and is regarded as the heaviest flying bird in the world. Absolutely amazing facts. The birds were so distant that my photo is very poor but the stuffed example gives some idea of the birds size. 

record shot of a Great Bustard - Salisbury Plain
(Bath Birdwatcher)

stuffed Great Bustard (Bath Birdwatcher)

While we were taking in these amazing birds some of the males were displaying to the females again something remarkable to see. Skylarks were singing all around and several Swallows flew through and a Raven flew over. David then spotted a bird of prey flying in the distance in a valley below us and we were able to identify it as a female or ringtail Hen Harrier after the Bustards our second best sighting of the day. Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Pheasant and Meadow Pipit were also seen. Part of the trip was to visit the Bustard Group’s shop which involved driving along a flooded road in places 2ft deep very exciting. We had a short talk about the group’s work and keepsakes were available to buy.

Back at the Village Hall we all set off for Langford for lunch passing Stonehenge on the way (always good to look at in passing). After lunch we set off the walk the length of the reserve and soon added Cormorant, Canada Goose, Chaffinch, Mallard, Robin, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe and Tufted Duck. From one of the hides we spotted a Long Tailed Tit in a bush leading us to find a Blackcap in the same bush. On to the end hide and here we added Grey Heron, Dunnock, Shoveler, Greylag Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Blackbird and Gadwall. Lots of Red Kites were flying around and we also noted Sparrowhawk and Buzzard. The area to the right of the hide was flooded and here we found Little Grebe, Teal and Magpie. A pair of Grey Wagtail’s landed on a branch in front of the hide and Sand Martins were spotted up in the sky. On our return to the cars a Chiffchaff was spotted. My last sighting of the day was as we left a Kestrel was hovering over a field. Most of the group had seen one earlier in the day but missed by me.

 

Canada Goose - Langford Lakes (Bath Birdwatcher)

 

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