16th March: Bittern population Booming

A survey by staff and volunteers early on Thursday morning recorded an incredible 35 booming Bitterns on the Avalon Marshes reserves. This is further confirmation that the organisations involved, the RSPB, Natural England and Somerset Wildlife Trust, have done a fantastic job in creating and managing reedbed habitats in the area, so well done to them.
Back in 1997, there were only 11 booming Bitterns in the entire United Kingdom, this survey recorded 16 on Ham Wall alone!

This is why Bittern populations are measured by listening for 'booming' males , they're not the easiest birds to see!