Paddling around the flooded paths at Strumpshaw Fen this morning, assessing the impact of salt water flooding in the aftermath of the surge tide, I noticed a a large brown bird skulking in the nettles at the edge of the path just 2 or 3 meters ahead. A pheasant (the usual suspect)? No, its stubby tail and long dark streaks down its back shouted "bittern"! In the blink of an eye it had vanished into the strip of reed at the river's edge, and I looked carefully for moving reed stems to tell me which direction it had gone. All was still, but then, crouching on the riverbank, I picked up a shape among the thick reeds just an arms length from my face, motionless, hunched, bill pointing up and its beady eye looking right into mine. At such close range this was obviously a small bird - a female. In 16 years at Strumpshaw Fen and 45 years of bird watching I had never been so close to a bittern. I remembered the camera in my pocket, and carefully took it out. She looked hungry, nervous, and ready to fly. The camera and I struggled to find and focus on the cryptic bird in the dense reeds but I managed a few shots before I quietly walked away and left her in peace.
Tim
Wow! You must be one of those special people who birds and animals instinctively trust. Well snapped!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.