Bitterns at Marbury!

Having not caught up with the Bittern at Marbury CP this year, I was keen to make a visit at some point, and a free morning on Sunday when I was testing out my new lens seemed the perfect opportunity to do so.

Arriving at the hide overlooking Coward Reedbed, the Bittern was not immediately obvious, and it took a good 20 minutes before it was located deep down in the reeds, exceptionally camouflaged and ridiculously difficult to spot whilst it was crouched down, blending perfectly in to the surroundings.

However, the bird soon put on a brilliant show, feeding in one of the gullies before creeping slowly through the reeds and out in to full view. Enjoying some of my best ever views, we watched on as he took flight and flew to the section of reeds directly opposite, proudly displaying the beautiful brown speckled plumage for all to see.

Bittern complete with reflection!

This particular individual has very pale markings, and is more than likely a returning bird from the two present last year, one of which was exceptionally pale. With two birds having been reported again this year, the best place to locate them is directly in the large patch of reeds to the left of the hide in the area surrounding the overhanging trees, which the birds seem to have favoured for the last couple of years or so.

Being the very first bird ever that I can remember seeing, having been shown to me at the age of 3 by a birder in the Marbury hide, it was great to catch up with them again 21 years later!