Visit the project

A guided tour of the GBG release site is a sure way of seeing a Great Bustard and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Salisbury Plain.

Your visit will help support the conservation work of the GBG, in the UK and in Russia.

Timings
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
At 09:30, 11:30 or 14:00 (duration typically 90 mins)

Cost
Free for members!
£7 per person

Bookings
Contact: 07817 971 327 visit@greatbustard.com

Polite Notice

Guided tours must be pre-arranged. Salisbury Plain is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is a live artillery training area. The GBG release site is situated on private property adjacent to the MOD Range Danger Area and disturbance to the released Great Bustards must be minimised.

FAQs

How much notice do I need to give for bookings?
Weekends are popular and tend to book up several weeks in advance. A weeks notice is usually enough for weekday tours.

How many people can I bring?
Group size is limited to eight people – it is not possible to comfortably fit more people in our Land Rover or hide!!!

Is there a minimum number of people required?
It is possible to make bookings for one or two people but it is likely that we will take bookings for other people to join you on your tour.

Can I make a group booking?
A visit to the GBG release site is very popular with natural history, Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and other interest groups. We do ask for a deposit of £25 per 8-person booking in advance from such groups.

How can I pay?
We only accept cash or cheque as payment for guided tours and merchandise available at the release site. It is possible to purchase merchandise and membership via our e-bay shop using credit and debit cards through PayPal.

Where is the site?
Please note that our office address is NOT at the release site!
We do not publicise the location of the release site to avoid undue disturbance to the birds, farm tenants and the MOD. When you make a booking you will be given directions and we do ask you not to pass these on should you wish to recommend the tours to others. Please pass on only our contact details: 07817 971 327 or our website address.

Can I just turn up and hope to join a tour?
Please note that all guided tours must be pre-arranged – there is no guarantee that we will be able to accommodate you.

Can I do it myself?
Salisbury Plain is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is a live artillery training area with very restricted access for the public. The Great Bustard release site is situated on private property adjacent to the MOD Range Danger Area.

Please refrain from searching for Great Bustards yourself – they are typically shy birds, notoriously difficult to see and can roam widely across the MOD ranges. During these early stages of the project, small flocks are very susceptible to disturbance and should flocks fragment, single birds become more vulnerable to predation.

To avoid arrest, being shot, blown-up, upsetting landowners and disturbing Great Bustards

Please join a tour!

It’s only £7 and it helps to fund the project

Do you have toilets?
Due to the remote location of the release site we cannot provide public conveniences.

Is there much walking involved?
There is no walking involved as you will be met in the car park and taken to our viewing hide by a Land Rover.

Do I need binoculars or telescope?
Binoculars are useful for viewing the Bustards so if you have a pair then do bring them along. But don’t worry if you don’t have any as the GBG provide good quality telescopes (Swarovski and Optolyth) and binoculars for your use.

Do you have disabled access?
Unfortunately, due to the rustic setting of the release site we cannot provide for disabled access. However, our staff are happy to assist you where necessary but this is not an official facility.

Is there an age limit?
Certainly not! We have had babies and great-grand parents aged 96 join our tours! If you are agile enough to get in and out of a Land Rover you can enjoy a tour of the release site, and our staff are only too willing to assist you if necessary.

What time is best for a tour?
No particular time of day is better. In very hot weather Great Bustards tend to sit down during the mid-day heat (so very rarely in the UK!). Other speciality birds of the release site are seasonal such as Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl (September to March) and Stone-curlew (March to September) and can turn up any time of the day.