We were looking for clay-colored sparrows, bitterns, or rails and didn’t see any but ain’t that just the way!
November 17, 2025 at 12:57 AM
We were looking for clay-colored sparrows, bitterns, or rails and didn’t see any but ain’t that just the way!
The lake I live near although has several Phragmites beds they are not extensive and lots of the shoreline is bare, Bitterns are resident. February is quite early but not unknown.
November 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The lake I live near although has several Phragmites beds they are not extensive and lots of the shoreline is bare, Bitterns are resident. February is quite early but not unknown.
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
November 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
Yes absolutely, I have contributed to the WWT photos and a few short stories in the past. This was no attempt to exclude other trusts, just to show how well the bitterns have done since 1997. Sorry, I wrote this purley on that basis as a positive outcome for the bitterns and nothing more.
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Yes absolutely, I have contributed to the WWT photos and a few short stories in the past. This was no attempt to exclude other trusts, just to show how well the bitterns have done since 1997. Sorry, I wrote this purley on that basis as a positive outcome for the bitterns and nothing more.
Hi Dennis, not sure what your question is, I know there has been progress made when the UK and quite a few countries in europe collaborated in doing a studie into the low numbers of bitterns in 1997. The report was bad, so, investments was made to improve, reclame and maintaine reed bed habitats.
November 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Hi Dennis, not sure what your question is, I know there has been progress made when the UK and quite a few countries in europe collaborated in doing a studie into the low numbers of bitterns in 1997. The report was bad, so, investments was made to improve, reclame and maintaine reed bed habitats.
Yeah ive seen all the others in fields aha, but ive only seen bitterns around the avalon marshes, and maybe because of huge amount of reedbed and dykes the resident bitterns there don’t really venture out much? Maybe they do but I’ve pretty much only seen them in flight.
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Yeah ive seen all the others in fields aha, but ive only seen bitterns around the avalon marshes, and maybe because of huge amount of reedbed and dykes the resident bitterns there don’t really venture out much? Maybe they do but I’ve pretty much only seen them in flight.
Thanks Rhys, I was lucky that it was a good 2nd day for Bitterns when i visited RSPB Minsmere, i saw them on the 1st day but they were in the reeds or flying. But the 2nd day they were out in the open very close to the hide and flying close in too.
November 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Thanks Rhys, I was lucky that it was a good 2nd day for Bitterns when i visited RSPB Minsmere, i saw them on the 1st day but they were in the reeds or flying. But the 2nd day they were out in the open very close to the hide and flying close in too.
I managed on a day off to stare out to sea at Dungeness first thing
Walk Dengemarsh Gully (2-3 Merlins and a Firecrest)
Black-necked Grebe at Scotney gravel pits
Walk into the Lydd MOD Ranges (600 duck)
Finish with Starling murmuration and Bitterns at Hanson hide, Dungeness RSPB
#Kentbirding
Walk Dengemarsh Gully (2-3 Merlins and a Firecrest)
Black-necked Grebe at Scotney gravel pits
Walk into the Lydd MOD Ranges (600 duck)
Finish with Starling murmuration and Bitterns at Hanson hide, Dungeness RSPB
#Kentbirding
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I managed on a day off to stare out to sea at Dungeness first thing
Walk Dengemarsh Gully (2-3 Merlins and a Firecrest)
Black-necked Grebe at Scotney gravel pits
Walk into the Lydd MOD Ranges (600 duck)
Finish with Starling murmuration and Bitterns at Hanson hide, Dungeness RSPB
#Kentbirding
Walk Dengemarsh Gully (2-3 Merlins and a Firecrest)
Black-necked Grebe at Scotney gravel pits
Walk into the Lydd MOD Ranges (600 duck)
Finish with Starling murmuration and Bitterns at Hanson hide, Dungeness RSPB
#Kentbirding
Good read Les. Feel lucky to have experienced the Minsmere Bitterns with you!
November 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Good read Les. Feel lucky to have experienced the Minsmere Bitterns with you!
Priority species include bitterns, curlews, hazel dormice, white-clawed crayfish, and plants such as downy woundwort, fen violet (found in Otmoor), black poplar trees, and Devil’s bit scabious. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/en...
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) | Oxfordshire County Council
A tool to help restore nature, created with people and organisations across Oxfordshire.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Priority species include bitterns, curlews, hazel dormice, white-clawed crayfish, and plants such as downy woundwort, fen violet (found in Otmoor), black poplar trees, and Devil’s bit scabious. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/en...
I canNOT believe I saw this sneaky-peeky bird. No wonder it’s rare to see American bitterns! #Bittern #Birds #Ridgefield #PNW #Wildlife #Nature #Photography #GoOutside #Breathe #Notice #KeepGoing
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 AM
I canNOT believe I saw this sneaky-peeky bird. No wonder it’s rare to see American bitterns! #Bittern #Birds #Ridgefield #PNW #Wildlife #Nature #Photography #GoOutside #Breathe #Notice #KeepGoing
Leslie Cater watched two Bitterns perform their courtship display – something few people ever see. Half an hour of slow, beautiful ritual. He'll never forget it. 💛
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Leslie Cater watched two Bitterns perform their courtship display – something few people ever see. Half an hour of slow, beautiful ritual. He'll never forget it. 💛
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Hamza Yassin featured bitterns in a recent episode his wildlife series
Very rare and peculiar birds indeed!
Very rare and peculiar birds indeed!
November 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Hamza Yassin featured bitterns in a recent episode his wildlife series
Very rare and peculiar birds indeed!
Very rare and peculiar birds indeed!
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @RSPB and @NaturalEngland, there are now 283 booming males in 2024.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @RSPB and @NaturalEngland, there are now 283 booming males in 2024.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Thank you, Marina. I really like bitterns. Spotting them is half the fun 😁
November 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Thank you, Marina. I really like bitterns. Spotting them is half the fun 😁
Back in 1997 there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Back in 1997 there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Bitterns show us that conservation works. Protect the reeds, restore wetlands, and wildlife thrives. Leslie Cater shares his love of the UK’s loudest bird🌾💚
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Bitterns show us that conservation works. Protect the reeds, restore wetlands, and wildlife thrives. Leslie Cater shares his love of the UK’s loudest bird🌾💚
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Bitterns are masters of disguise. Their buff-brown, streaked feathers blend perfectly with the reeds – making them almost invisible. Often, it’s their deep, echoing boom that gives them away writes Leslie Cater.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Bitterns are masters of disguise. Their buff-brown, streaked feathers blend perfectly with the reeds – making them almost invisible. Often, it’s their deep, echoing boom that gives them away writes Leslie Cater.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
Humblot's Heron (Ardea humbloti)
Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Range: mainly coastal wetlands in lowlands of western and central Madagascar; rare Comoros
IUCN status: Endangered
Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Range: mainly coastal wetlands in lowlands of western and central Madagascar; rare Comoros
IUCN status: Endangered
ML142917331 - Humblot's Heron - Macaulay Library
© Stephen Gast; Mahajanga, Madagascar; 18 Nov 2018
macaulaylibrary.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Humblot's Heron (Ardea humbloti)
Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Range: mainly coastal wetlands in lowlands of western and central Madagascar; rare Comoros
IUCN status: Endangered
Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Range: mainly coastal wetlands in lowlands of western and central Madagascar; rare Comoros
IUCN status: Endangered
Fabulous photo.
I didn't know the Bitterns were of the Heron family.
I didn't know the Bitterns were of the Heron family.
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Fabulous photo.
I didn't know the Bitterns were of the Heron family.
I didn't know the Bitterns were of the Heron family.
Chile day 3: Only managed a few hours birding as we had to return the car due to the smashed window & catch our new flight to Arica - 24 hours earlier than originally planned. But it was a great few hours birding - scoring on 2x singing Stripe-backed Bitterns.🪶
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Chile day 3: Only managed a few hours birding as we had to return the car due to the smashed window & catch our new flight to Arica - 24 hours earlier than originally planned. But it was a great few hours birding - scoring on 2x singing Stripe-backed Bitterns.🪶
They're sneaky, those Bitterns!
November 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
They're sneaky, those Bitterns!
On the 1st day I only got flight or in the reeds shots, but the 2nd day was the total opposite. The Bitterns & Kingfishers were active out of the reeds as well as some in the reeds action.
November 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
On the 1st day I only got flight or in the reeds shots, but the 2nd day was the total opposite. The Bitterns & Kingfishers were active out of the reeds as well as some in the reeds action.