ld june july 22

WILDLIFE MATTERS ……... to all of us
UKs BOOMING BITTERNS
With the decline in many bird species, it is encouraging to have some good news to write about.
The Bittern, UK’s loudest bird has had another record breaking year in 2021 with 228 booming
males counted. Once prized as a dish for medieval banquets they were considered extinct as a
breeding species in the UK by the 1870s due to a combination of over-hunting for food and the
drainage of their wetland habitats for agriculture. They recolonised the UK in the early 20th
century, with a peak of about 80 booming males in the 1950s.
Numbers were very low when the first annual surveys began in
1990 and by 1997, the species was again facing extinction, with
only 11 males across the entire UK. The Bittern has a brown/buff
plumage with dark streaks and bars so, it is very well camouflaged
and very difficult to see in the reeds. The most reliable way to
monitor the species’ numbers in the breeding season is to listen
for the males booming call which can be heard up to 5 km away.
Bitterns can be seen year-round.
Bittern Botaurus Stelaris
Photos:
Chris
Barrass
With the numbers so low the RSPB
started a research programme to
investigate the needs of this previously
little studied bird. This research led to
some clear management
recommendations that are still being
implemented at many UK sites
Bittern in flight
Bitterns are found at low densities in habitats that are difficult to work in. This research looked at
several different aspects such as their preferred habitat, feeding requirements, the home range
of the male, nesting requirements of the female, chick diet and their dispersal. Lightweight radiotransmitters
were attached to two Bitterns at two RSPB reserves so that their movement could
be tracked. Later young Bitterns on the nest were also radio-tagged to establish their food
preferences.
The RSPB along with other organisations have stopped reedbed degradation and created more
high quality reedbeds. Many of the reedbeds are managed by conservation organisations that
have created strong partnerships with the RSPB.
Research, has been undertaken as part of Action for Birds in England, a partnership between
English Nature and the RSPB. Key work was undertaken by partners within two bittern projects
funded by the EU-LIFE programme. These include English Nature, The Broads Authority, the
Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency, The National Trust and the Lee Valley Regional Park
Authority. The future long-term prospects for the Bittern are good although populations are at
risk from climate change as sea levels rise.
MCV’s events and facilities are available to everyone. To find out more checkout the
MCV website @ milfordconservation.org
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