Wednesday 3 March 2010

Once Bittern, twice shy

Say no more.
Spotted this afternoon at 2.45 East Chevington, my partner in crime Jeph Veevers thinks he saw a brief glimpse of another 2/3 minutes earlier but he isn't sure. I know there have been sightings of Bittern but not if more than one. If so this guy "skulked" across the area of cut reedbed possibly following on, whereas if correct the previous specimen made a short aerial flight.


8 comments:

  1. Cheers guys
    My second Bittern in 3 weeks. The last one however , i only glimpsed a rather pretty posterior.
    Thanks again
    John

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  2. Nice one John. Bit like buses, none for ages then 2 come along together

    John

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  3. Much more enjoyable than a bus turning up.
    John

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  4. I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable about birdspotting unless it's a robin or a blackbird! The Bittern looks unusual though. Is it rare or just uncommon? It has beautiful colouring and markings..... and it does look like it's skulking! :D

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  5. Davy, Lesley
    Apologies for not replying earlier but i have 18 month old grandson visiting and he is into everything. Computer has been tucked away for a couple of days.
    Davy, getting bored with Bitterns, need something more challenging. Hows about a BUFFLEHEAD !!!!!!
    Lesley, as you spotted yourself these skulking birds are very secretive and are uncommon. The species became extinct as a breeding species in this country in 1900 due to lack of habitat. However it recolonised, but their are only handfuls of breeding pairs in the country, numbers are increased by additional Bittern coming in from Europe in the winter.
    John

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