Once bittern....

When I entered the bird hide at Warnham NR this afternoon, I was slightly worried. A bittern had been spotted yesterday and, according to the warden and a few other birders, it was still there. So while I was looking forward to a potential 'lifer', I also remembered Blashford Lakes where I was THE ONLY PERSON in the hide who failed to catch a glimpse of the bittern. I was determined not to leave the Heron Hide before I had seen it as well, and without bins!!

Guess what, I did see it! My first ever bittern. It was hiding, pretending to be a reed, far away on the other side of the lake but hey, it was there! I can even prove it. Trust me, there is a bittern in there somewhere!

No? Can't see it? OK, let me help you:

Not the worst record shot of all time either! Quite pleased actually that although it was so far away you can still see what it is.

I have finally seen a bittern! :)

Blashford Lakes - 18th January 2011

We had a lovely sunny (!) day at Blashford Lakes (New Forest, Hampshire) last week. We'd never been before (and it is quite a drive - took about 2 hours to get there). I was particularly keen to see siskin, redpoll and brambling and maybe a bittern. While everyone in the bird hide except me caught a glimpse of the latter (*grrrrrrrrrrr*!!), the finches did not disappoint. I managed to get some nice shots. I'll post the links to the photos as soon as they have all been edited and uploaded to galleries.
We are definitely going to visit Blashford Lakes again!

Male siskin.

Male brambling.

Male lesser redpoll.