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From yesterday's Irish Times...

Shy bittern flies back to Irish shores after 150-year break

NICK BRAMHILL

A SECRETIVE bird believed to have become extinct in Ireland more than 150 years ago has returned to our shores and could start breeding here once again.

The bittern, a rare member of the heron family which is famous for its booming call, is believed to have sought refuge here from the bitter cold snap in continental Europe.

The brown-coloured bird, also known as the great bittern, died out in Ireland in the mid-19th century. But over the past week at least three of the well-camouflaged birds have been spotted at Lake Tacumshane in south Co Wexford, suggesting many more could have arrived here undetected because they are notoriously hard to track.

A leading ornithologist has described the news as “an incredibly exciting development”, adding that there is a possibility that bitterns might start breeding here for the first time since the 1850s.

Niall Hatch, development officer with Birdwatch Ireland, said: “This is tremendously exciting news because bitterns became extinct here in the mid-19th century. At least three have been spotted in reed beds at Lake Tacumshane, but there could be many more because it’s very difficult to spot them as they are so secretive.

“When they are frightened or startled they point their beak up to the sky, which camouflages them perfectly because their beak resembles a reed bed.

“There’s a small number of them in the UK, but I think the most likely scenario is that they came here to take refuge from the freezing temperatures in France and ended up in Ireland because it’s the last-ditch westerly land mass for them to escape to. It’s a unique experience, but more could follow and they may stay here and start breeding.”

While ornithologists celebrate the return of the bittern, the plight of other birds over the cold snap has caused concern.

A number of kingfishers have starved to death. Because so many streams have frozen over, their only food source has been wiped out, which will probably result in a drop in their population, according to Birdwatch Ireland. Birds like the wren, which feed on insects, have found the winter tough, as have seed-eaters like finches, which are unable to spot food under the heavy blanket of snow across the country.

How wonderful is that Bobbie, some good news!

(Hey, it was Bittern here yesterday...7 degrees)  :harhar:

I know! About time there was something positive from these shores... except for the problems caused by the freezing weather and piles of snow. I was talking to a lady the other day as we viewed the bird-feeding supplies and she said: "Those birds are costing me a fortune! Some of them are going to have to get jobs."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qv7x7eD15s&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qv7x7eD15s&feature=related)  Yellow Bittern catches dragonfly

A great video!  :wow:

Yay for you and Kerwin, such a pretty bird......reminds me of the Night Heron.