Bittern Olympics!!

Our Reedbed camera traps have been producing magic for us again - and via the wonders of technology, we can share it with you!!....

We have a few motion-activated cameras around the reed beds so that we can learn where about in the reeds the birds are feeding and catch them to see whether they are all ok. We have only had one sighting of three juveniles, by our wardens, but a few photos to supplement this have reassured us that they seem to be growing well.

But now we have this.... with the magic of the buttons switched to 'record' and not just 'photo'!.... (Fingers crossed this works!....)

Kate and Dave, our wardens, believe that this is footage of two of the juveniles. They have characteristic pale throats, which seem to stand out here. There was also something about a yellow iris, instead of brown?.... How can they tell?!  :-D  We also think that the birds running together shows that they are young (adults would be more unsure of each other if they met) and they are probably running over to mum for food. They seem to be up to Olympic standards when the offer of dinner is made!! 

We have also got some footage of the juveniles making stabs in the water and catching prey sometimes, which seems to show that they are also learning to fend for themselves.  This is no doubt contributing to them growing at a fair old speed.

So, with the marvels of technology, we are able to get views of the bittern family which are teaching us more about how and where they are living their lives at Old Moor. As a 'first' for us, this is really useful for our learning, but along the way it is showing us all inspiring footage that reminds us why the work we are doing to conserve of a species is so crucial. Who wouldn't want to be without these strange, brown, characterful herons in our country?!  

:)