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On Friday 12th Feb we had to rescue a very rare bird visiting the site.  We were already aware of 2 bitterns, of which there are as few as 75 in the country, visiting the site to feed on our fishing lakes. We think they were drawn to the area by the wetland project and found the lakes with its small reed-beds irresistable; we had plenty for them to eat in our well stocked lakes.

On Friday I discovered the bird caught on fishing line whilst feeding the lakes.  The Bittern was attempting to fly but was unable to.  I called Roger Wardle, the wildlife expert who helped us develop the wetland project. Roger came within half an hour and waded in to recover the bird, getting struck on the face by its beak in the process. Having cut away the fishing line we attempted release but the bird was too weak to fly off. Roger took the bird, which turned out to be an adult female, to Fenwold Veterinary Practise in Spilsby who checked her over, gave her a Penicilin shot and referred her to Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary. Paul King at the Seal Sanctuary, who hadn't seen a Bittern since the 80s, force fed her for 2 days until she was strong enough to release and called Roger.  Roger contacted Lincolnshire's top ringer, Alan Ball, to ring the bird.  Alan commented that he had never seen, let alone ringed, a Bittern.

She was successfully released on Sunday and has been seen around until at least 17 Feb when BBC Look North came to cover the story.  In the morning I was fortunate to capture some very rare footage of the bittern TV along with an interview with Roger and myself.  We think she has now gone off to more appropriate habitat before the anglers arrive to compete with her for fish.  It has been a privilege to be able to help such a rare bird.

Simon