As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Rare bird in residence as Newcastle nature reserve opens to public


Gosforth Park nature reserve holds an open day on Saturday, just in time for visitors to get a glimpse of a rare bird

A rare bird has taken up residence at a nature reserve - just in time for its public open day.

Gosforth Park nature reserve in Newcastle opens tomorrow (Saturday) from 10.30am-3.30pm.

The reserve is run by the Natural History Society of Northumbria, where members have been boosted by the appearance of three rare bitterns at the site over the winter.

The reserve has extensive reed beds, which are the bittern’s favoured habitat. The bird will stand erect and stretch its neck upwards to merge with the reeds around it.

The “booming” call of the male bittern seeking a mate in the spring is the giveaway to the presence of what is an elusive bird.

“We are trying to manage the reserve habitat to encourage bitterns to stay on and breed,” said a society spokesman.

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