Bittern fest

I have been doing a lot of work on Marsh Harriers, what's new, this spring and have had a couple of lucky encounters with Bitterns while watching the harriers. Th elink below goes to my blog post on my latest encounter with a splendid male and a female 

https://www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/a-splendid-male-bittern

fortuitous Bittern hour

 the rain eased a little after lunch so popped out for a couple of hours and in the only bright spell two Bitterns started booming opposite each other which caused this male to fly towards its opponent -- a bit of luck - Canon R62 with Canon 400DO2 and 2x converter 

Bittern in warm winter light

 After a very unproductive day with beautiful low winter sun this Bittern made the day as it was first chased by a female Marsh harrier and then performed to perfection in front of the hide; a rare event to get one this close taken with the new Canon R6 mark 2 and Canon 400 DO 2 lens with 1.4x converter - in the first two images it was reacting to a Sparrowhawk that landed in a bush above its head

Bittern

 

Bitterns

 A very odd day - these three birds flying around together appear to be all males? 

dancing Bittern

 a memorable Bittern encounter this morning albeit in the worst of light conditions -- story on my website with more images  https://www.grahamcatley.com/bittern