(According to the Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds, a record 228 booming male bitterns were
detected in both 2021 and 2022 breeding seasons.)
Sound fanfares, not for Charles the Third
But Britain’s long lost come-back bird!
When calls are counted, loud and boomerous,
It’s clear this heron’s now more numerous.
Let’s hope the vocal 228
All managed to attract a mate
Repopulating reed-rich fens
With noisy males and quiet hens.
They’ll swell the happy birder chorus
Of those who’ve heard a fine Botaurus
stellaris in its habitat
And thank RSPB for that.
