The Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is a scarce and declining bird species throughout Europe. In Britain, the bittern is very rare, with only about 40 breeding males, although this is up from a low point of just 11 breeding males in 1997.

The preferred habitat of bitterns is large reedbeds, where they forage for their food of fish (especially eels), amphibians and insects. To get access to abundant food, the bittern needs the reedbeds to be wet with plenty of small ditches where fish can be caught. There are about 32 hectares (80 acres) of reedbed habitat at Wicken Fen and bitterns are regularly seen there in winter. In spring, the male bittern booms to attract a mate and to establish a territory. In recent years, there have been booming male bitterns at Wicken and we are hopeful that they will successfully breed here soon.

The bittern is listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, thus the species has special legal protection at all times.

Photo: The Bittern (courtesy of RSPB)