Species of the week: bittern (version 2)

For the first time since this species of the week series began 18 months ago, this week I am featuring a species that has already been covered once. I've been trying to avoid doing so, but with our bitterns continuing to break every rule in the book, I can't continue to ignore them any longer.

As regular readers will know, since our wardens and volunteers cut back the vegetation at Island Mere Hide, the bitterns have come out to play - literally, it seems. If you don't believe me, then read Whistling Joe's Forum post about the dangers of exploding bitterns due to over-consumption of roach (a type of fish that is their favourite food).

Having seen a series of incredible photos posted on the RSPB Minsmere Twitter and RSPB Suffolk Facebook pages, I headed down to Island Mere Hide at lunchtime to take a look for myself. As I approached the hide I was informed that a bittern had just caught a fish and wandered off into the reeds, only for another one to wander out from the other side and take up a similar position in the ditch. On entering the hide I couldn't see the bittern, but I knew why. I was too far back from the window. Yes folks, it is true, our bitterns have taken to feeding so close to the hide that at times you need to almost lean out of the window to see them!

Although we've cut the reeds, there is still enough tall reed for the bitterns to hide in, and sometimes it's easier to spot their reflection first.

It doesn't take long to get your eye in, though, and soon enough you'll spot the bird itself through the reeds. Rule 1 broken: bitterns are elusive and rarely seen.

If you wait long enough, there's a good chance that the bittern will emerge from cover and pose in full view. Rule 2 broken: bitterns like to remain hidden among the reeds

If it isn't successful, it may decide to move even closer. Rule 3 broken: bitterns are shy birds and easily disturbed

Perhaps you'd prefer this side. (I like the symmetry of the reed with the beak in this photo)

Time to get down to the serious business of fishing.

Fish caught, it's time to hide again - almost.

Of course, whilst everyone is watching the bittern at close range, the cormorants are busy fishing in deeper water, and you have to remember to keep checking the mere itself for the telltale ripple of a swimming otter. Three otters were seen at about 8.15 am today, and there is usually at least one sighting per day at Island Mere. The great white egret and ringtail hen harrier have not been reported for a couple of days, but are likely to still be around the reedbed somewhere, while other sightings around Island Mere include marsh harriers, teal, shovelers, kestrels, water rails and bearded tits.

Nearby, there are still several common darters flying around Whin Hill, where green woodpeckers and jays are regularly seen, while the walk back through the woods is the perfect place to enjoy the colours of autumn - and perhaps relive your childhood by kicking through piles of fallen leaves. With luck, you'll come across a feeding tit flock, which could include blue, great, coal, marsh and long-tailed tits, as well as goldcrests and treecreepers. I was really lucky today as i also found a beautiful male brambling and several siskins feeding in the beech trees.

While the attention may be focused on island Mere, don't forget that the Coast Trail offers excellent opportunities to practice your duck identification skills. Here's just a few pictures taken at East Hide yesterday afternoon, starting with a rather shy pair of wigeon. 

These gadwalls decided to exit stage left as I pressed the shutter, but that at least shows the distinctive wing pattern.

Teals are the most numerous ducks on the Scrape, while other species present include shovelers, shelducks, mallards, lapwings, herring and great black-backed gulls, a few black-tailed godwits and snipe, and up to four late lingering avocets. More easily overlooked on the Scrape are small flocks of linnets, goldfinches and pied wagtails, as well as the often unobtrusive moorhens.

Finally, while waling along the dunes, don't forget to check the gorse bushes for stonechats and Dartford warblers, the shingle for meadow pipits, or the skies offshore for gannets. There's even the chance of spotting a hunting short-eared owl around the sluice area, especially in the afternoon.

Also, as many peple are asking about starling murmurations, the latest information we have is that there isn't one at Minsmere. There are, however, reports of starlings at Hen Reedbed SWT reserve, between Blythburgh and Southwold, but I haven't heard how many. No doubt they'll move here at some point during the winter. Watch this space.