Rare 'ghost bird' captured on camera during visit to Jersey

Tuesday, 7 January 2025 at 10:52

Britain's loudest bird has paid a visit to St Ouen's Wetland Centre, looking for a snack.

A male Bittern has been spotted moving among the reeds in St Ouen's pond looking for insects, fish and amphibians to eat.

It is one of two that visit the National Trust for Jersey's Wetland Centre each year.

Distinguished by its loud 'boom', which can be heard up to three miles away in spring, Bitterns are dubbed the UK's loudest birds.

The males of the species, found in England and Wales, make a sensational booming noise to attract a mate.

Credit: Wildlife Photographer, John Ovenden & The National Trust for Jersey

Our feathery friend is also known as the 'ghost bird' due to its great camouflage in the reedbeds and elusive nature.

However, the Bittern was driven almost to extinction in the 1870s due to people draining the wetlands for agriculture and hunting the birds for food.

Despite this, their numbers have increased by 24% (RSPB April 2024) since 2019.

It marks the species' significant recovery due to conservation work.

Now there are 80 male breeding Bitterns in the UK, with two that holiday to Jersey annually.

Credit: Wildlife Photographer, John Ovenden & The National Trust for Jersey

A video of the 'ghost bird' was captured by Wildlife Photographer, John Ovenden and a trail camera at the Wetland Centre by the National Trust's Clerk of Works.

The social media post has garnered hundreds of thousands of views and is being shared worldwide, with people from North America, the Middle East and Europe commenting on John's video.