http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7901050.stm

There's a video at the bottom too.

Sean

-- Edited by Sean Molloy at 21:59, 2009-02-22

Yes, Sid that was the little blighter that is now back in the wild, sorry I did not warn anyone, but I only found out myself that afternoon,did,nt even get to attend myself

Have had to deal with a change of work area recently, it appears I now work for the Chester group, so will be spending alot more time birding in Cheshire, back to the old old haunts of Rostherne and Neumans and sandbach flashes.

keep Birding

Paul

Was this the bird that featured on North West Tonight and in the press this week?

Sid

Paul Heaton wrote:

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A sad underweight Bittern was collected in Preston yesterday by the RSPCA, currently at Stapley grange under care, due to be released ASAP, possible release location Leighton Moss.

On another subject just came in from a walk, and its still light, not a lot but more than last night.

Keep birding

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The Bittern(s) at Marbury CP have been recorded climbing the reeds and trees in the evening and taking passing Startlings flying into roost.
Also about 3 winters ago I saw a Bittern there just about a couple of feet in from the water's edge and partially obscured by the reeds. Approx 30 or more ducks gathered in the water near the Bittern just by the edge of the water near the reeds quacking loudly and behaving in a very agitated way - just like birds calling loudly in the presence of an owl or other predator. The Bittern moved along slowly through the reeds for some distance always keeping just a couple of feet in from the waters edge and the ducks followed keeping an eye on it as it went. So maybe they take the occassional duck as well if the can get it!

A sad underweight Bittern was collected in Preston yesterday by the RSPCA, currently at Stapley grange under care, due to be released ASAP, possible release location Leighton Moss.

On another subject just came in from a walk, and its still light, not a lot but more than last night.

Keep birding

tt

Simon Warford wrote:

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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I remember the Marton Mere American Bittern showing very well in a ditch

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Yeah I remember that Ian, I was in the same ditch!

Sid, Bitterns will also eat rodents aswell ive seen photographs recently of one with a mouse in its bill, today at Moore Melanie spotted a Bittern flying high towards us at the eastern reedbed coming from the direction of tip/river, not quite sure where it had come from though.

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The year the Yankee Bittern was at Marton Mere was a really cold one,and I remember seeing the Bittern out in the fields feeding on voles.I also remember seeing a couple of dead Grey Herons that had succumbed to the freezing weather there.

-- Edited by pete berry at 20:27, 2009-01-11

Reading matter on this subject.

Poysers Weather and Bird Behaviour by Norman Elkins
A Natural History of British Birds eric Simms.

keep birding.

Thanks for the feed back fellas its good to think that the birds have alternative food sources evn though in the present economic climate they may have to survive on a Shrew String

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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I remember the Marton Mere American Bittern showing very well in a ditch

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Yeah I remember that Ian, I was in the same ditch!

Sid, Bitterns will also eat rodents aswell ive seen photographs recently of one with a mouse in its bill, today at Moore Melanie spotted a Bittern flying high towards us at the eastern reedbed coming from the direction of tip/river, not quite sure where it had come from though.

I flushed one from rushes around Melchet Mere, Tatton Park on 4th March 1977, when searching for Jack Snipes. Maybe they'll take Jacks as well?.

Like any heron/egret they adapt and take what comes along and often locate areas where there is open water, especially where there might be an inflow or running stream. They have had a fondness for Water Rails at many sites in the past and I remember reading about one recently (in the north west?) that took a Moorhen, they're not adverse to feeding in ditches and other such habitats either, I remember the Marton Mere American Bittern showing very well in a ditch

The Bittern is confined almost entirely to wetlands dominated by reeds, where it feeds on fish, amphibians and other small water animals. Many of us have had wonderful views of Bitterns this winter mainly because of the frozen water. When the water is frozen presumably the birds will have difficulty feeding. How then do these magnificant birds survive harsh winters such as the present one? Do they feed on vegetatation? Do they manage to somehow break the ice? We are encouraged to feed our garden birds - are there schemes for feeding the Bitterns anywhere? Just a few things that crossed my mind this morning - anyone have thoughts? I know there are other species that will be affected but Bitterns are no doubt a special bird.