I know I promised that I’d start blogging about our work regularly with added photos, but sure enough, my fancy phone didn’t last too long – it went swimming last week! Anyway…
Spring is springing. The birds are singing. And it’s getting to the time when bitterns should start booming too – or at least warming up. At this time of year, we try to get out and listen for the first signs of a booming male. Today was the first day I went out early (before dawn). I was probably a little premature really, seeing as the mornings have only just started to warm up, but I like getting out anyway, and in years gone by, they’ve often sung a Valentine’s Day song! As I had expected, it was fruitless as far as bitterns are concerned, however I did have a BRILLIANT encounter with an otter; playing in front of the boat down the main dyke! Barely even noticed me. It just carried on fishing and leaping out of the water with no real purpose!
Keep an ear out (at either dawn or dusk) over the next few weeks, and hopefully you’ll hear a bittern booming away!
Image Copyright Alasdair Grubb - it's not a great photo, but the best i could do considering how excited i was!