First on the beach

I was the first person on Ringstead beach today; there were no footprints ahead of me.

An interesting bird flew into one of the fields as I was about to depart - a great bustard. This is one of the birds from the captive breeding project on Salisbury Plain, which seems to be going well. Birds from there seem to be in the habit of overwintering in Dorset and Somerset, so we may get to see more of these amazing creatures.

It is a truly impressive beast, the size of a swan and with beautiful vermiculated plumage.

Another of the same bird

Another showing radio transmitter round its neck