Long before I first visited East Anglia, I was aware that the RSPB reserves in Norfolk and Suffolk were something of a Mecca for UK birdwatchers. With a significant number of species only really occurring, or most likely to be seen, in this part of England, I imagine that the likes of Minsmere and Titchwell Marsh account for a pretty high proportion of first sightings for many of us.
And so I felt not just optimistic but almost expectant when I parked my car at RSPB Titchwell Marsh on a grey, chilly Friday in February 2017. After carefully checking the sightings board in the always-welcoming visitor centre, I set off down the path that runs straight to the beach. Up ahead, I could see a group of people gathered together, peering intently through binoculars and telescopes that were all pointing in the same direction. My sense of anticipation grew and I quickened my stride. What were they looking at? It had to be something special!
When I reached the group, I gazed towards where the scopes were pointing and asked as nonchalantly as I could, “Anything of interest?”. A gentleman looked up from his scope and said quietly, “A bittern. Just in that channel through the reeds.” My face must have given me away, because he then smiled and asked me, “Would you like to have a look through my scope?”.
I did. And there it was. My first ever sighting of this iconic heron, whose startling decline and slow recovery I had read so much about. I marvelled at its black, cream and tawny plumage – how difficult it must be to spot one when it’s skulking away amongst dry reeds! This individual didn't appear to be in a great hurry and I was eventually able to sight it in my own binoculars.
Disappointingly, and perhaps even surprisingly, that bittern was the only species I added to my life list on that particular visit. But I would happily have accepted that when I arrived - and even more so now, because I haven't seen a bittern since!