Thermal drones used to track down rare birds' nests

Thermal drones are being used to search more than 160,000 acres (250 square miles) looking for nesting great bustard birds.

Since 1998, hundreds of the turkey-like birds have been re-introduced onto Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire by the Great Bustard Group (GBG).

Despite being well established, the ground nesting bird is in danger of being mown down by farm machinery especially the female.

David Waters, from the GBG, said: "Once a female is on a nest, she will sit tight and hunker down in the face of mowing, it's imperative we find nest sites so we can ensure her safety."