| Fact file | - The scientific name for the bittern is Botaurus stellaris听
- Bitterns hide in the reeds by standing absolutely still with their neck straight and lifting their bill up so that they blend in to the habitat
- If food is short, bitterns will become cannibals and eat the smallest bittern in the area
- A male bittern may have up to five mates
- In 1997 only 11 bitterns were found during a nationwide survey, while in 2004 at least 55 bitterns were counted at 30 sites across the UK
- 17 bitterns were counted in the Norfolk Broads during the 2004 survey
- Disappointingly in 2005, male bittern numbers went down to 11 from 19
- In 1886 bittern were nearly driven to extinction
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Over the bank holiday, my wife and I took our broads cruiser out of its mooring at Wayford to spend some time on the broads. I'm interested in wildlife and photography - I have managed to spot and photograph many views and sunsets over the Broads as well as the wildlife. Rare creatures Recently I have watched and photographed an otter feeding just up river from Barton Broad, as well as kingfishers and marsh harriers. Once I have spotted kingfishers feeding or otters playing I try to return to the same spot. So far I have been very lucky and have seen them many times. South Walsham Broad Over the bank holiday I wanted to get some fresh water, so I had to cruise to South Walsham Broad. As the weather wasn't too bad, I stopped for lunch on the river just out of South Walsham Broad. There were a lot of boats about so I dropped the mud weights over the side and moored against the bank.
 | | A bittern in its habitat. |
While there I watched a pair of marsh harriers circling in the air towards Ranworth Marsh. They must have been looking for food for their young as they kept swooping down, flying off, then reappearing minutes later to do the same again. Bittern spotted I took some long-shot pictures, wishing they would come closer so I could get a better shot when from behind me and flying over my head I spotted a brown heron-like bird. I managed to take two photos before it disappeared over the trees heading towards Ranworth Marsh. As I have never seen a bittern before, other than in a book, I wondered whether I'd just been lucky enough to spot one. The flight and the glide were like a heron's with the neck tucked back into its chest. Sighting confirmed I always carry a lap-top with me as I'm a web designer so I downloaded the pictures and after closer scrutiny I thought it definitely was a bittern - I just needed confirmation. As soon as I arrived home I uploaded the photos to www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk, the forum group I belong to, to ask other bird watchers their thoughts. Within a couple of minutes a reply was posted saying I was a lucky b****r to have seen one, let alone photograph it too! Once bittern, twice lucky? I will be spending more time near South Walsham Broad this summer hoping to spot it again. Now I just have to hear the bittern's trademark 'boom' to really finish it off. The Broads are a marvellous place for wildlife and tranquility. If you have time to sit in a boat or on the riverbank, you too could see things that you've never spotted before. | 
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