The Metropolis

Go bittern hunting on Hampstead Heath

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 22 February, 2012 10:23

There’s a bittern chilling out on Hampstead Heath right now. This is unusual. You should go see it.

What will you need?

*Some binoculars.
*A vague idea of what a bittern looks like (see above – it’s a fat-necked golden heron).
*A promise not to blame me if you go to see it and it isn’t there.

Why should you go?

*Bitterns are rare birds. Perhaps only 500 winter in the UK each year.
*They are secretive birds who like skulking about in reeds – but the one at Hampstead Heath is quite outgoing so this might be your best chance.
*You’re an interesting and generally cool person who seeks to engage with the natural world because you realise that it enriches your spiritually impoverished urban life.

When should you go?

*Soon. The bittern has been at Hampstead Heath for a couple of weeks now. It was still there yesterday and has been showing well.
*But it’s coming towards the breeding season so it will probably be going off on the pull sometime soon.
*Check out the Hampstead Heath updates here for daily sightings.

Where exactly is it?

*It moves around a bit, but your best bet is the Bird Sanctuary Pond, which is number 15 on this pdf map.
*The bird has been sleeping in a tree by this pond, and your correspondent saw it with his own eyes from the footpath at the pond’s south edge.

Why should you go again?
*David Attenborough would want you to go – are you going to let David Attenborough down?

RSPB – Bitterns
London Bird Club Wiki – Daily sightings
Photo – Wikimedia Commons

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