A Bittern at RSPB Rye Meads, 9th March 2026

A short visit to Rye Meads as there appeared to be some interest from a pair of Kingfishers investigating the nest banks at the Draper hide and the Kingfisher Hub. While I was there the male bird was perched by the nest bank at the Hub, but too far away for meaningful pictures. He was waiting the female to arrive, but while I was there, she failed to arrive. Just the one record shot here.

Of much greater interest was a Bittern which appeared at the back right of the Kingfisher Hub pond and swam across to the small reedbed at the back. It stayed in there for about 30 minutes before swimming back. It has been seen on and off for a few weeks and could be the same bird that has been at Amwell all Winter. It will be returning to its breeding grounds very shortly.

What a great bird to see, and quite a few people in the hide also managed to see it!