Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has expressed delight as a juvenile bittern was spotted in East Yorkshire earlier this week.
Bitterns were once declared extinct in the UK, but due to conservation efforts in recent years are starting to make a comeback, the Trust says. They are still very rare in Yorkshire with roughly 20 breeding pairs last on record, and can have up to six eggs – so the Trust is hopeful visitors will be treated to more juvenile sightings in the days and weeks ahead.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s reserve manager Tony Martin said: “We have had overwintering bitterns at North Cave Wetlands for a number of years, but bitterns need two healthy reedbed areas to breed successfully, as they use one for nesting and another for feeding. These sightings are the latest success at one of our flagship reserves, and it’s heartening to see our careful management of this wild spaces is having huge benefits for Yorkshire’s wildlife.”
(Image: Supplied)
The Trust has been working alongside Breedon Ltd to expand the reserve from 40 hectares in 2001, to its current size of 140 hectares. Each area was restored by Breedon Ltd before being handed back to the Trust.
Dedicated works by the Trust to plant over 30,000 reed plugs alongside Breedon Ltd and volunteers has helped to create important habitat – such as where the juvenile bittern has been spotted this year.
Tony continued: “These successes emphasise the value of wetlands for wildlife, and the importance of providing more space for nature. Our ongoing work to manage North Cave Wetlands as an ever-increasing wild haven shows that dedicated time and attention to wildlife is vital if we are to turn the tide on the biodiversity crisis.”
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