Britain's loudest bird saved from extinction for a second time
You now have more chance of seeing Britain's loudest bird, the bittern, in the wild.
The RSPB say the birds, which are part of the heron family, have had their best breeding year since records began – with over 100 male bitterns recorded on the charity’s reserves for the first time, and almost 200 across the UK.
British bitterns have battled extinction twice. Hunting decimated numbers in the 1870s, but the bird was reintroduced into the wild in the 20th century. Sadly, numbers dwindled again in the 1990s, with just 11 males left in the wild by 1997.
Now, two EU-funded projects have brought the shy bird with a booming voice back from the brink.
Simon Wotton, RSPB Senior Conservation Scientist, said: "Bitterns are one of our most charismatic birds. Their astonishing recovery from the brink of extinction is a real conservation success story and example of what is possible through targeted efforts to restore wildlife habitat.
“It’s a delight to hear their distinctive booming call echoing across the reedbeds every year as more and more bitterns are making new or restored wetlands their home.”
What do Bitterns look like?
"Despite its claim to fame as Britain’s loudest bird, bitterns are highly secretive," the RSPB say.
"With their well-camouflaged, pale, buffy-brown plumage, bitterns spend most of their time hiding in dense stands of reed and are so elusive scientists count them by listening for the males’ distinctive booming call."
The Bittern isn't the only conservation success story this year. Great Spotted Woodpecker numbers are up along with Black Kites.
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