Just Fledged: 15/04/2018 American Bittern showing superbly at Carlton Marshes

Monday 16 April 2018

15/04/2018 American Bittern showing superbly at Carlton Marshes

Sunday 15th April 2018
Carlton Marshes, Suffolk

An American Bittern, present at Carlton Marshes for just over a week and the first in the UK for 8 years, drew crowds from all over the country with over 3000 visitors to date. My chance came yesterday - boy was it worth it, with perhaps the best observations yet!

courtesy of Jeff Higgott and Independent newspaper.

courtesy of SWT and Gavin Durrant

I arrived on site just after 2 p.m. and within 45 minutes the bird began to show, alongside it's European counterpart. For several minutes we witnessed what appeared to be a courtship routine with the American bird making amorous approaches towards the Eurasian bird and the latter seemingly returning the interest. From time to time it even fluffed out its white feathers. All this was happening as they moved along the edge of, and in front of, the reed bed some 100-200 metres away.

Soon the European bird took to the air followed closely by the American Bittern. They flew right in front of us coming as close as 100 metres or so in what was a magnificent flying display. We were able to see the important ID issues - the American bird was noticeably smaller, with plain blackish wing feathers as opposed to the barred ones of the Eurasian bird. After about a minute the birds landed and disappeared in the reeds.

American Bittern pursuing a Eurasian Bittern

courtesy of Jeff Higgott and Independent newspaper.

Some of my fellow birders had been there all day and seen nothing, as the early morning mist did not lift until well after 12.00.

Misty Carlton Marshes

I, however, enjoyed excellent conditions and was perfectly placed to take in the display!

Carlton Marshes - now clear!

There is a terrific YouTube video which captures all of this - in fact I think the guy who shot this (Shaun Ferguson) must have only been only a few feet away from me. Use the link below and listen to his comments in the background to get a flavour of the excitement that this bird generated in its oh-so-brief appearance.