Anyone seen a Bittern yet this winter???????
Gareth Harris has asked me to add the following to the appeal for sightings entered on 1 January.
"can I also encourage you all to send in your sightings, no matter how unimportant you feel they may be or how common the species. From meeting birders around the CWP I know that many birders are using the Blog but are not presently sending in any sightings. This is a huge shame because in recent weeks I have spoken to local birders who have seen birds such as Osprey, Bittern and Marsh Harrier in the last year that were not reported.
So far this winter, there have been no records of Bittern reported to us. There is undoubtedly at least 1 Bittern in the CWP somewhere, its just a question of actually seeing it! In the past favourite haunts of Bittern have included the Waterhay (CWP 68d/68c), Whelford Pools (CWP 111/111b) where they have been observed from footpaths and hides, but any patch of reed in the winter could support a foraging Bittern.
Please keep a look out at dusk around the CWP, this will be your best chance of observing Bittern. If you see any, we'd love to know! Please respect their shy nature and observe them from public footpaths only.
Many thanks."
Gareth Harris, Biodiversity Officer.