Today's sightings-2 Bitterns

30 November 2011

Both of the Bitterns showed well again this morning, images copyright JSLees WWT The Zeiss Hide Bitterns We have had a lot of queries about the Zeiss hide Bitterns over the past week, so I wil [...]

Bitterns at Slimbridge by James Lees

Both of the Bitterns showed well again this morning, images copyright JSLees WWT

The Zeiss Hide Bitterns

We have had a lot of queries about the Zeiss hide Bitterns over the past week, so I will try and answer a few here. As with all Bitterns, they are generally very elusive and spend a lot of time deep in the reeds. But due in part to this location the birds can show very well at times. Both of these birds are feeding in a small reed bed, about 20 metres across, a few metres from the hide. We have cut an area in the centre of the reed bed to enhance views of these birds, and at times they do come out and stand in full view.

One bird is particularly aggressive and often chases the other around the reeds. On a still day they can be easily located by their very noisy movements through the reeds. They will also fly down the flash and feed in the small pockets of reeds between the Zeiss Hide and Kingfisher Hide. They tend to be most active around 10am and 2pm but may be seen anytime during the day. The key to seeing Bitterns is all about time spent looking. Some days, like on my rounds today, I saw both birds about five times during the space of thirty minutes. While on other days, you may have to wait an hour to catch a glimpse. But with two birds in a very small reed bed so close to the hide, this is a great opportunity to get a good view of one of our most interesting birds.