Bittern

A rare winter visitor to the small reed beds of Chard reservoir. 4 records are known. A skulking & shy member of the heron family, the bird of 1997 uncharacteristically showed well to many local Birders & was even filmed on camcorder to be used in a local reservoir video.

??/??/70 - Single bird (CC)

08/03/79 - One possibly heard (RGH)

11/01/97 - Single bird. Remained until at least 02/02 & showed well throughout its stay to many local Birders (DH)

19/01/03 - Single bird flew out of the south reedbed at dusk, circled over the water and returned to the reedbed (DWH, KGH)