Stodmarsh Bitterns

[KentYeti]

As anyone local to Stodmarsh Reserve in Kent will know, the Bitterns that arrived late Spring/Early Summer did breed and produced three young.

Spent a few hours there today but never got close enough for proper photos, but did see quite a lot of flying action in the medium distance. The birds were flying between the Marsh Hide and Grove Ferry and back. With the reeds in fornt of the Marsh Hide still the favourite for the Juveniles I was told.

Got a shot of an interesting happening a looooooong way off! And I mean a long way! Way too distant for anything decent photowise.

A juvenile Grey Heron and Juvenile Bittern out for a stroll together. Well, I think they are both youngsters.



"I'm off rusks now, and mums started me on eels. So much better. How about you?"

Bryan

[Dogghound]

Very hard to age the bittern from this shot, although the head pattern looks more adult like here, but could be the photo. Juveniles often moult the head first making them quickly look very adult like.