London Wetland Centre – the capital’s branch of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. A regular haunt, just a train ride away in Barnes. Today’s visit has an added frisson. Someone has seen a bittern, and I want a piece of the action. Some people will travel countrywide for a glimpse of a rare bird’s backside. I won’t, but will happily make a short trip across town for this most charismatic bird.
Not that the sighting’s guaranteed. Bitterns are secretive birds, fond of skulking in reedbeds, their streaky brown plumage the most effective camouflage. Factor in their relative scarcity, and any encounter is to be treasured.
