Bill Oddie and Booming Bitterns

Monday 16th April 2012

A booming bittern has been heard at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve Bittern in flight - Credit Philip Watson

We had a few surprises at Potteric Carr on Sunday 15th April including a celebrity visit by TV Presenter Bill Oddie to help us commemorate the centenary of The Wildlife Trusts.

Our Woodland Wildlife event aimed to discover just how many amazing plants and animals we have in our woodlands, and why this habitat is so important to both people and wildlife. Visitors were invited to take part in a 100 minute race around the nature reserve to identify as many species as possible, and those who found the most were awarded a prize by Bill at the end of the event.  Visitors also had the chance to join in with the South Yorkshire Pole Wood Turners, and discover how to make a range of wooden implements that we all use in our everyday lives.

Bill described Potteric Carr as a beautiful nature reserve, and was thrilled to see so many people involved in the day’s celebrations.  He was particularly pleased to see how many families were at the reserve, and emphasised that:
“It’s really important for young people to be involved in conservation, and feel able to make their environment a happier, healthier and better place to live.”

Bill Oddie was also delighted that our next surprise demonstrated just how successful collectively the Wildlife Trusts have been at improving our local environments.  During the event we were serenaded by the endangered bittern in the wetlands, calling to us with its unmistakable boom! Bitterns are a rare bird that has only ever been seen at Potteric Carr in the winter.  Improvements to the wetlands have been made with the hope that the bitterns will stay for the summer months and breed – to have one booming is a great sign! We are all waiting with anticipation to see if we will have little baby bitterns later in the year.

For more information on events at Potteric Carr or on visiting the nature reserve call 01302 570077 or email potteric.carr@ywt.org.uk.
 

Tagged with: Events & Shows, Bittern, Booming bittern, Centenary, Potteric Carr