Birds return as breeding season gets into swing

Published on 26th April 2007 in News

RSPB staff at the Blacktoft Sands nature reserve are eagerly scanning the reedbed as they await the return of the elusive bittern.

And they will know when this reedbed rarity turns up, as he'll announce his arrival to nearby female bitterns with his booming mating call.

The reserve near Goole is once again welcoming back a host of winter migrants returning to their summer quarters for the breeding season.

The last few days have not only seen the arrival of beautiful songsters such as the sedge and willow warblers, but also swallows, sand martins, knots, black-tailed godwits and ringed plovers. These birds can be seen on the lagoons together with avocets, black-headed gulls and lapwings, all of which are producing an amazing repertoire of reedbed songs and calls.

And RSPB staff are running an evening guided walk on the reserve, inviting local people to enjoy this amazing and breathtaking courtship cacophony.

The Booming Bittern guided walk runs from 7pm – till 9pm on Saturday, May 5, with expert staff leading the way to the best booming spots and helping everyone to catch a glimpse of the other fantastic birds that inhabit the reedbed.

"Bitterns are known for their star-gazing pose when hiding in the reeds," said Tori Summerell, Visitor and Publicity Officer for the reserve.

"This stance, when they point their beaks to the sky as though scanning the heavens, makes them incredibly difficult to see and their colouring adds to the camouflage effect as they blend into the reeds.

"At this time of the year, when the male calls to attract a mate, you might not be able to see them, but their booming call resonates through the reed bed at dawn and dusk. This call can echo for several miles in good conditions and it is such a fantastic sound to hear, a true reedbed spectacular," she added.

"With all the other birds having returned to the reserve from their winter quarters, there will probably be a whole reedbed orchestra tuning up as the breeding season gets into full swing."

Bitterns bred for the first time at RSPB Blacktoft Sands back in 2004. They are one of the rarest breeding birds in the country, with only 44 booming males identified in the UK.

Advance booking for the walk is essential to avoid disappointment. To book, please email blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk or call 01405 704 665. There is a small charge for joining the walk: £2 adults, £1 children, or half price for RSPB/Wildlife Explorer members.