Interesting Press Association story about the state of the UK's Bittern population on the wires today - pix are courtesy of Andy Hay/RSPB/PA Wire.....thought there was more than one boomer at Leighton Moss this year, but it has been a year since I've got up there, so what do I know.
Boom time for Bitterns
Emily Beament, PA environment correspondent
One of Britain's rarest bird, the bittern, has had its best nesting season for at least 130 years, the RSPB and Natural England said today.
A total of 75 "booming" males - counted by their distinctive mating call - were heard by conservationists surveying the English reedbeds where the bittern is found.
Almost seven times as many booming males were heard this year than in 1997, when numbers plummeted to a recent low of 11, and the figure was up 47% on last year.
The bumper year for the threatened bird, which died out in the UK in the 19th century and was pushed to the brink of extinction again in the 1990s, is directly linked to the wet weather, researchers believe.
Rainy weather provided ideal feeding conditions for the females, allowing them to get into breeding condition.
And conservation work to restore, recreate and manage the bittern's freshwater reedbed habitat has enabled a turn-around in the bird's fortunes.
With much of the bittern's nesting places concentrated in East Anglian coastal areas, which are threatened by rising sea levels, there has also been a drive to establish inland wetland sites to provide more secure habitat.
So conservationists welcomed the news the bird has spread its range to 10 English counties this year, including a newly-created site in Somerset.
Dr Pete Brotherton, head of biodiversity for Natural England, said: "This year's figures are a fantastic achievement and show that we can bring species back from the brink of extinction.
"You would probably have to go back at least 130 years to find a better year for this booming bird."
Dr Mark Avery, conservation director of the RSPB, said: "The bittern has suffered an ill-fated history in the UK, having endured extinction once and having been on the verge of extinction again in the late 1990s.
"We weren't prepared to accept a second extinction of the bittern, so we launched a rescue bid to keep the bittern as a British bird."
He said the rescue package had benefited a wide range of other wildlife as well as turning around the fortunes of the UK's bitterns.
The bird, which was once widespread in the UK, still has its stronghold in East Anglia, with two thirds of the booming males recorded in Suffolk and Norfolk, and 10 individuals counted in Cambridgeshire.
But there were also six booming males in Lincolnshire, two each in East Yorkshire, Somerset and Kent, and a lone booming male recorded in Lancashire, Hertfordshire and Cumbria.
Its presence in 10 counties is up from eight last year and four in 1997.
The key reason bitterns, which were once so widespread they were regularly eaten in banquets, saw populations crash in the 19th century was the drainage of its wetland habitat.
The bittern stopped nesting in the UK in 1886, but recolonised the UK in 1911 when it was discovered breeding again in the Norfolk Broads.
Recent lows in the 1990s were driven by further drying out of reedbeds.
Dr Brotherton said that despite the success in boosting numbers, there was more to do, and conservationists were working to halt the loss and fragmentation of wetlands and create more habitat to allow the bittern to spread further.
Wildlife Minister Joan Ruddock said: "It is vitally important that we conserve our rich variety of wildlife such as the bittern and that's why the Government works with conservation groups like the RSPB on these projects."
She added: "This year's wet weather has helped the bittern population which shows the real impact of small changes in our climate.
"Understanding the impact of these changes is key to conserving our wildlife and taking forward effective management of habitats."
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Jen Walker, RSPB wrote...
Events at Leighton Moss during September:
Please contact 01524 701601 or email leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk for further information or to book on the events.
Wednesday walkabout (for adults)
Every Wednesday in September
11 am-1 pm
Learn more about Leighton Moss and all its wonderful wildlife. Cost: RSPB members: adults £2, non-members: adults £4.50.
Bittern Bus guided walk
Sun 7 September
11 am–12.30 pm
Why not see the wonderful wildlife of Leighton Moss on a free guided walk and support the Bittern Bus at the same time? Tel: 01524 734311 for timetable details.
Art course: September sketchbook
Sat 13 September
11am-4pm
Join Marianne Birkby to learn techniques to draw the autumn plants and wildlife of Leighton Moss. Booking essential. All materials and lunch provided. Cost: £20 (RSPB members £18).
Decorative needlework course
Sat 20 September
11 am-4 pm
Join Lynda Woodburn to enjoy a relaxing day sewing a design that reflects the wildlife of the area. Suitable for complete beginners and guidance will be given. Booking essential. All materials and lunch provided Cost: £20 (RSPB members £18).
A Bowland Year: evening meal and film
Tues 23 September
7–9.30 pm
Peter Guy’s film A Bowland Year takes us through a year in the Forest of Bowland AONB. The film is mainly about the birds and wildlife of Bowland, but also shows people who live, work and visit the area. Beforehand, enjoy a two course home-cooked meal (bring your own wine). Booking essential. Cost: £15 (RSPB members £13).
Moths count workshop
Sat 27 September
10 am–3.30 pm
These workshops, run locally by Steve Palmer, are designed to encourage a greater appreciation and enthusiasm for moths. Learn about their lives, habits and how and where to see them. Moth identification techniques will be a major part of these illustrated talk, including live moths found on site. ‘Moths count’ is a national scheme sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in co-ordination with Butterfly Conservation and the RSPB. Lunch not included-please bring your own packed lunch or use our tearoom. Free event for complete beginners only. Booking is essential by tel: 01929 406009 or email nmrs@butterfly-conservation.org
Lancaster Local Group Annual General Meeting and talk
Sat 27 September
7.30–9 pm
After the Lancaster Local Group AGM, Peter Mawby will give us an illustrated talk Returning to the edge of the world - an ornithologist's reminiscences of the remote islands of the North Atlantic. Open to all. Donations welcome.
Posted by: Jen Walker, RSPB | August 29, 2008 11:07 AM