When you see something several times a day it’s easy to become blasé about them. Bittern sightings have been going through the roof recently which led me to ask the question to colleagues, can you get blasé about bitterns? This was something I never thought I’d ask but I was assured that it’s impossible and I tend to agree.
Yesterday I personally managed about 5 views of bittern including two sightings of birds in the reeds, which is quite a rare sight at Radipole as there’s so much reed for them to hide in. Bitterns were by far the stars of the show yesterday but a few other species were trying to steal the top spot. A few Firecrest were lurking around the office garden and the edge of the reserve, a small flock of Goosander dropped in briefly before heading out over the town. It’s amazing how regular Goosander have been this winter so far. Last year we only had one or two sightings all winter which contrasts hugely with this years one or two sightings a week!
The Long billed Dowitcher has returned to Lodmoor after its short vacation to the fleet but Lodmoor remains fairly quiet due to the amount of ice still.