Carlton Marshes SWT - American Bittern
It all seemed a bit bonkers at the time, standing within a group of around two hundred birders, lined up along the trail at Carlton Marshes SWT, hoping to catch a glimpse of the American Bittern . Bonkers, because of the fog that had set in for the morning and showed no sign of lifting. That was until around lunchtime, when the trees and the horizon started to appear into view, Marsh Harrier became more active with a couple of smart males, wheeling around a sombre backdrop that was slowly having its hopes lifted. Skylark were singing, a couple of Chinese Water Deer were nervously scampering through the vegetation, but the assembled crowd were gradually getting more nervous. A male Hen Harrier flew over the scrape, with no intention of lingering as it bustled through. It was a bright moment for what was at this point a dismal day. Then at 3pm, there was action. We all headed further along the path where two Bittern had been seen in flight. The first view...