Once 'bittern' twice shy

Once common in wetlands, bitterns became extinct as breeding birds in the UK in the late 19th century, as a result of wetland drainage, excessive egg collecting and hunting. Somewhat against the odds, bitterns returned under their own steam as breeding birds and were next recorded as breeding in Norfolk in 1911. They slowly recolonised from there and by 1954 there were around 80 booming males found mostly in the Norfolk Broads. It seems the increase was helped by the flooding and abandonment of low-lying coastal land during World War II to defend against a German invasion. This allowed both reedbeds and bitterns to return.

With a big push from far-sighted conservationists the bittern has enjoyed a remarkable comeback. The latest counts by the RSPB and Natural England clocked up 228 calling males at 103 sites nationwide in 2022. I have often seen them at RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk (although only very fleeting or obscured views), but also occasionally at Rutland Water and even Whitlingham Broad, Norwich. I have heard their characteristic ‘booming’ call at other sites including RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, NWT Hickling Broad and NWT Cley Marshes in Norfolk.

Posted on 20 September, 2023 16:48 by