Bittern
Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Large reedbeds.
Diet: Fish, amphibians.
Best time to spot: Booming call carries miles.
When to look
A summer visitor, typically in the UK from April to September. Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.
Where to see it
Reserves where the Bittern is on the list:
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- American Bittern · Reedbeds (very rare vagrant)
- Bearded TitUncommon · Large reedbeds (E. England)
- Great White EgretRare · Marshes
- Purple HeronRare · Reedbeds (rare breeder)
- Black-headed Bittern · Reedbeds (extreme vagrant)
- Common CuckooUncommon · Reedbeds
Kit that helps
Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, tested picks, no extra cost to you.
See Bittern sightings on the map