I feel really sorry for poor Ian.
He's a conscientious chap, working hard to try and make Minsmere an enjoyable place to visit and takes his responsibilities seriously, doing his best for the wildlife that inhabits the reserve. But what can you do with such a sneaky nemesis as those Pesky Bitterns? Regular readers of these threads will know that Ian regularly runs training courses for these ungrateful birds, he sends regular memos reminding them of the behaviours they are expected to display as key representatives of such a famous reserve. After all, to quote the RSPB Handbook of British Birds, Bitterns are "Very secretive and hard to observe. Moves slowly & stealthily through reedbeds...". Collins makes the following observation "Rarely seen on ground (stays hidden in reedbed)". Yet what did I find yesterday, as I walked into the Island Mere hide? Yep, you've guessed it - trying to sneak away, hoping I hadn't seen, after spending half the morning coming too close to the hide for telephoto lens toting photographers to get their shots...
"Oi!" I shouted. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Hmm? Who, me?" quoth the Bittern in an innocent sounding voice
"You're up to your old tricks again, aren't you? Just because I've been distracted by the Deer Rut, doesn't mean I don't get to hear about your bad behaviour!"
"Huh, don't care" said the Bittern, "Me and my mates aren't going to hide away when fancy amateur fishermen are about, gotta show them who's boss"
Fancy amateur? First time I've heard a Heron be described in that way, but I suppose a Bittern has a different perspective!
Anyway - what did the Bittern mean "me and my mates"? Ah, I see - uh oh, trouble's on its way across the cut reeds. Exit stage left, Bittern #1. Bittern #2 looks much bigger and even more brazen about his patch of reedbed.
Oh dear, poor Ian. The Pesky Bitterns are back again!
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
fantastic, especially the one before the Heron, seems to be showing of his leg