I’ve recently taken up a voluntary post as Editor of the Great Bustard Group’s magazine ‘Otis’ and hopefully having one person putting what is often described as their ‘distinctive’ style (thanks Martin F) on the articles and design will at the very least give the publication the consistency it’s perhaps been lacking. I’m really uncomfortable sounding like I’m criticising earlier editions of ‘Otis’, by the way, as the people who put it together did a great job under the circumstances and lack of time - but I wouldn’t have taken on the job if I didn’t think I could improve the magazine or why bother?

Okay, enough of my typical British over-politeness and on with the post…

I went down to the release-site on Salisbury Plain (and if you have no idea what I’m talking about please see eg posts here, here, and here - it’s a fascinating story) to finish up the editing with Suzy Elkins of AA1 Media and the GBG’s Lynne Derry. Being a birder (yes, I am still a birder despite the rumours on 10,000 Birds) I just had to spend a little time photographing some of the bustards that have stayed local throughout the winter (many disperse 60km or more, particularly to the Somerset Levels, for the winter).

No-one is allowed to get close to the birds of course - they’re free-flying and very wary - so these photos are heavily cropped, but the essence of these magnificent birds (large males are the world’s heaviest flying birds) comes across I think. Just imagine seeing these birds flying in a small flock over the chalk grasslands of the Plain, or suddenly coming across a breeding pair miles from anywhere, no fencing or wire in the way…

It would be a truly memorable moment - and that’s what the GBG are working towards. Free-flying, UK-bred, truly wild flocks of Great Bustards roaming England again. If it’s something you might like to see too please visit the Great Bustard Group website to get more information. I know the project is not to everyone’s taste, but I like to think I’m not an idiot - and I’m certainly not stupid enough to spend weeks editing up a magazine for a Group that has got it all wrong…

 

 

 

 

 

All photographs copyright Charlie Moores 2010