British Bitterns

[thebeard]

Hello!

after seeing quite a few bitterns over the winter, its sparked some interest in me. therefore i'd quite like to see them over the summer at some of their UK strongholds, it'd be great to hear them booming!
where are the better places to see them in the UK, i'd prefer places in east anglia, lancashire is a little far away!
i'd like to visit wicken fen, do they occur there?

cheers folks

[aeshna5]

East Anglia is a stronghold. My favourite bet would be Minsmere as I rarely fail to see at least one on each visit. Other sites include Cley, Titchwell, Walberswick, Hickling Broad + various others.

[ChrisJB]

Leighton Moss is a good place to hear (and occasionally see them) them. I know it's a bit far, but the Silverdale area where it is located is a delight. Last spring I heard one at Far Ings too, in north Lincolnshire, right by the Humber.
Check this out too, a great website.http://www.wicken.org.uk/

Regards, Chris

[Jonners]

I would echo Aeshna's comments re Minsmere. Last time I went there I had four separate sightings. Lakenheath Fen currently has at least six, so might be worth a visit if you're in the area.

[Melus]

Fingers crossed you might not have to travel far this spring if the Bittern population keeps increasing at Attenborough Nature Reserve in Notts. Seven have been recorded this winter in the reed beds instead of the usual one or two.

Click on this link
BBC News - Reserve attracting rare bitterns

[Dinasaw]

Any chance we saw a bittern today in a field near Lt Waldingfield/Monks Eleigh - couldn't stop the car as usual !! but it stood heron-like but was a speckly brown, and then flew - very big wingspan. Too far away to see properly. I know they are rare - more prob a buzzard or something - but I've never seen a buzzard on the ground, so I don't know if they stand 'upright'. What do you think??

[solus]

Buzzards do spend time on the ground in fields (they often hunt for worms) and can sometimes appear fairly upright, especially if they are about to take off and fly. Bitterns are far more likely to be seen around lakes and reedbeds. Was there any habitat like that nearby? If it was purely agricultural then I suspect Buzzard would be the more likely candidate but you can never tell, especially if your area still has snow or frozen lakes!

[pressld2]

Another vote for Minsmere. The best hide to see them from in my experience is not the bittern hide but the Island Mere hide a bit further along. If you're there in April you're pretty much guaranteed to hear them booming.

I got some very nice views of one in the River Lee Country Park today...



Dave P.

[thebeard]

Originally Posted by Melus

Fingers crossed you might not have to travel far this spring if the Bittern population keeps increasing at Attenborough Nature Reserve in Notts. Seven have been recorded this winter in the reed beds instead of the usual one or two.

Attenborough is one of my patches actually, seen plenty about there! i don't think they'll stay to be honest, as they are migratory birds, but i suppose there's always a chance, the habitat is certainly suitable, especially up in the delta.

cheers for the info folks, minsmere sounds like a winner, and i've wanted to go there for a while anyway so i may look at getting there at some point in april.

[Dinasaw]

Originally Posted by solus

Buzzards do spend time on the ground in fields (they often hunt for worms) and can sometimes appear fairly upright, especially if they are about to take off and fly. Bitterns are far more likely to be seen around lakes and reedbeds. Was there any habitat like that nearby? If it was purely agricultural then I suspect Buzzard would be the more likely candidate but you can never tell, especially if your area still has snow or frozen lakes!

Thank you Solus for your knowledge! No, not lakes or reedbeds there, just rivers/streams flooded from recent thaw. So, probably a buzzard then. Didn't really think it would have been a bittern, but was curious in case!!