Bitterns are back at WWT London Wetland Centre

Bittern at WWT London - Credit William Richardson

November 2011. Bitterns are one of the UK's rarest breeding birds and are normally found among large reed beds and marshes in areas such as East Anglia. But thanks to careful management of lake and reed bed habitats at WWT London Wetland Centre up to six of these elusive members of the heron family spend the winter at this urban oasis.

The birds have been seen on and off over the past few weeks but now seem to have settled in for the winter, seeking food and shelter - surprisingly close to the centre of the capital. The bittern which arrived yesterday even made its famous ‘booming' call as it landed, possibly confused by the warm weather into thinking it was still breeding season!

Masters of camouflage
Bitterns are masters of camouflage, much to the frustration of bird watchers who find the elusive birds very difficult to spot. They hide on the edges of reed beds and are even know to sway with the reeds to provide extra cover. Look for them among the reeds around the edges of the lakes and channels at the Centre, or ask the Centre's ‘Guide in the Hide' who normally knows where to spot them when the birds are visible.

Bitterns usually take a few weeks to find their winter feeding spot, but once they do they remain in their territory through the winter. The birds are excellent predators, feeding mostly on perch, but they also prey on roach, frogs, eels and small birds.

Once an 18th Century table delicacy the bittern became virtually extinct in the British Isles following persecution and habitat loss. Thanks to the efforts of British conservationists, including the work done at London Wetland Centre, the species is once again on the increase.

Plenty of waders
"The centre has been attracting high numbers of wintering birds in the past few weeks, and the bittern always brings excitement to the reserve because it is such a rare bird in the UK," said Adam Salmon, Reserve Manager. "Other highlights so far this autumn include water rail sightings and a bullfinch plus large numbers of wigeon, teal, gadwall and shoveler. The first redwings and fieldfares have arrived, much later than usual, probably due to the warmer conditions in their summer breeding grounds in Scandinavia during September and early October. And, amazingly, bats are still around with a small number of pipistrelles spotted just as we were closing for the night on Halloween!"

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