Boom time for the bittern, our loudest bird

BRITAIN’S loudest bird has pulled off a remarkable comeback from the verge of extinction, experts said yesterday.

Bitterns, whose numbers fell below 20 in the 1990s, are flourishing, with populations at a record high. At least 164 birds have been counted at 71 sites this year.

The RSPB said the success was down to efforts to protect the habitat of dense, wet reedbeds that the bird (pictured above) favours. Spokesman Simon Wotton said: ‘We’re delighted to see another record year for this amazing bird.’

Known for their booming call, the bittern was wiped out in the 19th century and had to be reintroduced from abroad.