As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees

Their huge size makes the Great Bustard instantly identifiable. Males are twice as big as females and differ in breeding plumage by having a distinctive moustache and chestnut breast-band. Juveniles are similar to females but are more buff on the neck and head and less distinctly barred on the upperparts. Males acquire full adult plumage between the second and sixth summer. Non-breeding males lose their 'moustache' and the breast becomes greyer.

This species was once common throughout the south and East Anglia with breeding populations on the Yorkshire Wolds up to the 19th century, with the only known egg from this population collected in 1810. Birds were also found as far north as Scotland. The last native Great Bustard was shot at Lexham in Norfolk in May 1838. The first record of a vagrant bird was of one shot near Oakenhead, Morayshire in 1803.

There has been one Great Bustard reported from S. Gloucestershire, in;

2008: (1)

A female (Orange 15) from the UK re-introduction programme was found on January 10th just inside the S. Gloss boundary at ST: 674 699 north of the R. Avon just north of Keynsham. It was present for three days and was last seen on January 12th.