Birds Eye View for Bittern Roost Watch
Date Published: 06/01/2010
The elusive Bittern
The Lee Valley Regional Park Conservation Team will be joining conservationists throughout Hertfordshire to brave the freezing temperatures this weekend in hope of sightings of Bittern, a rare bird that spends its winter in the Lee Valley.
A short guided walk through River Lee Country Park will be followed by a roost watch in the Bittern Information Point overlooking Seventy Acres Lake. Hopes are high as the current cold snap makes for ideal conditions to see this elusive bird.
“It’s a fantastic chance to catch a glimpse of this secretive heron-like bird; their numbers have dramatically declined in the past due to several factors such as habitat loss. Conservation effort across the country and locally on Seventy Acres Lake has really improved their habitats and we’re encouraged by recent sightings of two Bittern” says Lee Valley Regional Park Conservation Officer Dawn Richardson.
Sunday’s roost watch is one of four county-wide events to promote conservation work to protect the Bittern. Birdwatchers will also be meeting at Tring Resevoir, Rye Meads RSPB Reserve and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Reserve at Amwell.
This public event is free, with hot drinks and biscuits on hand to fight off the chill.
Participants are meeting at 3.30pm at Fishers Green Car Park in River Lee Country Park. Please bring binoculars if you have them and wrap up warm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to point out the birds and hopefully the Bittern.
For more information contact the Information Service on 08456 770 600.