Resonating across wetlands in spring, the evocative calls of male bitterns are a sign that the 'bull of the bog' is thriving in Britain in numbers not seen, or heard, for centuries.''The thing about bitterns," says photographer Oscar Dewhurst, "is you're not meant to see them". He should know, as he's just spent months patiently trying to capture these amazing birds on camera. The second part of the species' scientific name Botaurus stellaris means 'starry' and describes the speckled plumage of theirback, flanks and wings, but could equally refer to their celebrity status in UK birding and conservation circles. Just as important are the streaks running from throat to undercarriage - used to best effect when one of the birds adopts its namesake 'bitterning' posture, with neck stretched and bill pointing skyward. As a watcher, you could blink and the bird will disappear, replaced by a clump of reed stems with googly eyes.
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