ANOTHER TRIP TO SALISBURY

The gap between Christmas and New Year was a chance for Steve and myself to get out and do a bit of birding. We decided to go back to Compton in Salisbury as we missed out on the Great Bustards on our last visit so was hoping to catch up with them this time.

It was a bright Winters day with visibility being very good and so it was another chance for me to try out once again my new Swarovski Christmas telescope.

We got there not long after first light and was greeted by at least ten Red Kites circling above us and landing on a field right next to the track we were walking on. To be honest they were everywhere perched on trees and fence posts as well as filling the sky with their distinctive calls.

red kite

I also digiscoped these pair sat on some fence posts at the top of the field.

Here's me doing a bit of digiscoping

doing a bit of digiscoping

There were loads of buntings and finches in the trees and bushes as we walked up the track also Stonechats and Starlings were very numerous. We also flushed (which was another lifer for me) a covey of Grey Partridge. This bird has seen a massive decline in it's population in the UK of over 90% so to finally get to see these now very rare birds was for me a bit of a privilege, Compton must be one of the very rare places in the UK where Grey Partridges are holding on so lets hope it continues. Didn't manage any pics or footage which was a shame but they fly so fast and then disappear into the thick vegetation on the fields.

Here's a Corn Bunting I digiscoped whilst walking up the track.

Here's my first picture of a Fieldfare this year. There were a few of these about with their cousins the Redwings.

fieldfare

As we got to the top of the track we got talking to some locals that were telling us where to go and what was about. Salisbury plain is a M.O.D site where the Army does maneuvers so you can't just wonder anywhere. We decided to stick to the bye-ways after all we don't want to get shot😦.

We came to Salisbury hoping to see the Bustards and it didn't disappoint, we even had them flying over our heads which was a great sight and I even managed a couple of pics. 

fly over great bustards

We walked to the top of a hill over looking one of the M.O.D fields and were delighted to see quite a few of them on these fields. The wind was pretty brisk so I just took photos as the wind was buffering the scopes about so it was difficult to keep things still.

bustards on Salisbury plain

Steve managed this bit of footage through his scope which came out pretty good.

You can see an old tank in this next pic which the M.O.D must use as target practice while on their training maneuvers. 

bustards with the tank in the background

We stayed and watched them for a while with Steve showing a couple of passers by the birds through his scope which they were delighted with.

We decided after a while longer to make our way back, we watched a juvenile Peregrine on the hunt but frustratingly for me I wasn't quick enough to get a picture. We also spotted some Roe Deer on top of one of the fields.

roe deer

nice to see two together

 What a wonderful place Salisbury Plain is absolutely teaming with wildlife which I expect will bring us back here for future visits. Once again big thanks to Steve for getting us there and home safely top man, until the next one cheers.