I had only ever seen a Bittern once before many years ago and that was a fleeting glimpse but Friday at Titchfield Haven I saw another, this time was a good fly past and I was able to get a few distant photographs.

The Bittern is a member of the Heron family. They are said to be Britain’s loudest bird, Male bitterns begin to boom as early as late January to establish territories and attract mates.

The recorded numbers of Bittern’s in the UK is small at 80 males with at total population of about 600 birds in Winter.

How wonderful to capture this bird. Beautiful with it’s gold and black coloring.
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Yes it was Peggy – the sunny morning really helped.
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Beautiful photos. Amazing lighting. They must be loud, if the male’s call is referred to as a boom!
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yes deep and rumbling have often I have heard it coming from deep in the reed beds
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Lovely. Definitely a bird I would like to see.
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That’s a big bird … I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a photo of them before.
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