Bittern sucess in the Fens
News from the RSPB site
The recovery of the bittern - one of Britain's most threatened birds - has taken a tentative step forward in 2007 as male bitterns were recorded at more sites than any other year since 1990.
Significantly, the survey has revealed that these sensitive birds have been recorded nesting in the East Anglian Fens for the first time since before the Second World War.
Evidence of four nests were found at a single, privately-owned site in Cambridgeshire involving three different breeding females.
This is also the first time that bitterns have been recorded nesting in a newly-created reedbed; the bird's preferred habitat.
Habitat creation working
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Conservation Director, said: 'The spread of the bitterns into areas of newly-created reedbeds is a testament to all those involved with habitat creation, especially in the East Anglian Fens.
'Reedbed sites occupied by more than 40 per cent of male bitterns this year are at risk. Rising sea levels threaten to inundate eight freshwater reedbeds, increasing salinity and making them unsuitable for this sensitive bird.
'Encouraging bitterns to nest in newly-created sites away from the coast helps to buffer these sensitive birds against the impacts of climate change and will help safeguard their future in Britain.'
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