Further sightings of a 'rare' and 'shy' bird have been made across the North East, as hopes for further sightings in the region have been made.
The elusive bittern, known for its expert camouflage and deep, booming call, was spotted gliding gracefully over a County Durham nature reserve and another North East reserve.
Images of the Bittern have captured the bird at Low Barnes near Witton-le-Wear, while other Bitterns have been seen at Rainton Meadows, near Houghton le Spring.
The last recorded instance of a bittern staying for an extended period at Rainton Meadows dates back over a decade, making the appearance even more special.
The images, taken by Ray Haldene and Brian Howes, capture the Bittern both in flight and on the ground, showing how majestic it is.
What has the Durham Wildlife Trust said about the Bittern?
A rare and shy heron, the bittern spends almost all its time hidden away in large reedbeds, where it feeds on eels and other fish. It has wonderfully camouflaged plumage, helping it to blend into the reeds. It can also stand motionless for long periods to avoid detection.
Typically found in large reedbeds, the bird spends most of its time hidden among the vegetation, emerging occasionally to feed on eels and small fish.
Despite their secretive nature, male bitterns produce a distinct, foghorn-like "booming" call during the breeding season, which can be heard up to two miles away.
How rare are bitterns?
Bitterns were nearly driven to extinction in the UK during the 19th century due to habitat loss and hunting.
However, concerted conservation efforts, including the restoration of wetland habitats, have led to a slow but steady increase in their population.
The species remains classified as "Amber" under the UK's Birds of Conservation Concern list and continues to be a priority for conservationists.
While rare in the North East, bitterns have been spotted occasionally in the region. In 2012, a male bittern was heard booming for the first time at RSPB Saltholme in Stockton, though it failed to attract a mate.
A decade later, in 2022, another male was heard in the area, this time accompanied by sightings, offering hope for the species' continued recovery in the North East.
Hope for further sightings?
Durham Wildlife Trust has revealed that they hope that there are more and more sightings of Bitterns in the North East and across the UK, so it will be removed from the 'rare' list.
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