Bitterns at Marazion Marsh
On the 28th November 2010 the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Photographic Group had a field meeting at Sennen Cove. On the way down to Sennen David Chapman and I called in at Marazion Marsh. As soon as we went over to the viewing bay, set in the cornish hedge bounding the reserve on the seaward side, I was delighted to see my first ever Bittern!
I count myself as very fortunate to have the opportunity of photographing the Bittern out in the open and bathed in early morning light. Skating around on the ice the bird skirted the edge of the reed bed and was clearly visible for at least 15 minutes.
Bitterns are normally highly secretive birds and are very difficult to see as they blend in perfectly with the Phragmites in which they spend so much of their time. Indeed much of the marsh at Marazion has been managed specifically to optimise the habitat in the hope of encouraging these elusive birds to breed. However for now they remain a welcome winter visitor to West Cornwall as the cold weather pushes them south.
We did eventually make it to the Sennen but photographing icicles on the beach didn’t quite match up to Bitterns on ice!
Click on the thumbnail below to view a gallery of images from our visit to Marazion & Sennen.
Once loaded, if you hover your mouse over the gallery you will see text buttons two thirds of the way up each side of the image. Click on the left to go back to the previous image and on the right to go to the next image. To exit the gallery click on the cross at the bottom right of the viewer. 
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