Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

STATUS & ECOLOGY

The bittern is one of our rarest and
most elusive birds. It is very closely tied Bitterns are now very rare in Western Europe. Only seventeen pairs nested in England
to its reedbed habitat. It feeds, roosts in 1998, fledging about twenty young. They last bred in Scotland in 1830, but continue
and nests amongst stands of Norfolk to visit as wintering birds. Scotland may be important to them in this respect as many
reed (Phragmites australis) and is Scandinavian and Baltic birds are forced south by winter ice and look for their winter
exceedingly well camouflaged by it. food of eels, small fish, amphibians, invertebrates and small mammals in unfrozen
Indeed, the presence of breeding reedbeds in Britain. The reedbed at Duddingston Loch, part of the Scottish Wildlife
bitterns is usually discerned by the Trust’s Bawsinch Nature Reserve, is a regularly used winter refuge, having supported
‘booming’ call of the male rather than one or two birds every winter between 1992 and 1997.
by sight.
The bittern is listed in Schedule 1 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954-67 and under
Section I of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to harm the
birds or disturb their nest or eggs. The nest is usually made in April,
on the ground within the reedbed, and can hold up to five eggs.
Full development from egg to flight takes about twelve weeks,
allowing young birds to disperse in August. Survival thereafter
depends principally on being able to find a reedbed large
Duddingston Loch
enough to support sufficient numbers of eels, small fish,

“Ye Bitterns, till the quagmire reels

Distribution of Bittern in Edinburgh Rair for his sake !”
Rabbie Burns

FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE

Impacts
Agriculture is primarily responsible for the decline of the
bittern. Wetlands, once widespread, have been drained over
the centuries, and reedbed habitat continuously reduced. A
general decline in water quality, caused mainly by fertilizer
and pesticide run-off, has accentuated the problem by reducing
the bittern’s food supply in many of those areas where reedbeds
can still be found.
Threats
Reedbed loss continues apace. Natural succession usually
results in the silting up and drying out of reedbeds, which
gradually develop into scrub-woodland. This process is well
advanced at Duddingston Loch. Reduced water levels in or
additional pollution of the loch and its feeder waters, the Braid
Burn and the Wells of Wearie, would also pose particular
concerns.
 CURRENT ACTION
A national Bittern Action Plan has been prepared as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. This seeks to increase
the population level across England & Wales to a more sustainable level over the next 25 years by restoring existing
reedbeds and creating 1,200 hectares of new reedbed. No specific action is proposed for Scotland.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has identified the removal of invasive tree growth as a management priority for Duddingston
Loch reedbed.

ACTION PLAN OBJECTIVES & TARGETS

Objective Targets
To ensure the continued presence of To maintain and enhance reedbed habitat at Duddingston Loch and maintain and
wintering bittern, and establish a potential improve the quality of water within associated watercourses.
breeding site, at Duddingston Loch.

Actions

Selectively remove all invasive trees and shrubs from

1
Duddingston Loch reedbed during Winter 2000.
(Actioned by: Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Excavate and plant selected areas of the loch with

Norfolk reed during Autumn 2000.
2
(Actioned by: Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Annually monitor use of reedbed by

3
wintering bittern from Winter 1999.
(Actioned by: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club & Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Continue to regularly monitor the water quality of the Braid Burn from
4
Winter 1999, maintaining and improving it in line with SEPA objectives.
(Scottish Environment Protection Agency)

5
Carry out a fish survey of Duddingston Loch by Spring 2003.
(Actioned by: Scottish Wildlife Trust & Scottish Natural Heritage)

CHAMPIONS
Key Contacts
Scottish Wildlife Trust Colin Mclean
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Peter Gordon
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Ian Andrews
Scottish Environment Protection Agency Huw Thomas
Historic Scotland Joe Muir