Latest news with #NorthernEchoCameraClub
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare bird spotted over skies of the region that sets hope for future sightings
Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers in the North have yet another reason to celebrate, following the most recent sighting of a bittern in North Yorkshire. Captured on camera by Steve Raine, a member of the Northern Echo Camera Club, the images, taken in late June, show the shy, elusive bird gliding low over a reedbed, its streaked plumage blending effortlessly with the wetland vegetation—a stunning and rare sighting for the region. This latest appearance follows several other reported sightings in County Durham and across the wider North East, including at Rainton Meadows, RSPB Saltholme, and Weardale, suggesting that the once-vanishing bittern may be quietly staging a comeback in the region's revitalised wetlands. The bittern (Botaurus stellaris), a secretive member of the heron family, is one of the UK's most elusive birds. It is notorious for its pale brown, streaked plumage, which allows it to remain nearly invisible among the reeds. Adding to its mystique is its trademark booming call, a deep foghorn-like sound made by males during the breeding season, audible up to two miles away, mostly at night. While present year-round, sightings remain uncommon due to the bird's shy nature and preference for dense reedbeds. When it does emerge, often at dawn or dusk, it offers a moment of wonder for those lucky enough to witness it. The bittern was once on the brink of extinction in Britain, with the species almost wiped out by habitat loss and hunting in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Read more Nearly 200 objections to plan for hundreds of new homes in North East town Person taken to hospital after air ambulance lands at County Durham incident Newton Aycliffe woman admits £30,000 council tax and benefit fraud over six years What happens next with Hayden Hackney after Middlesbrough accept Ipswich offer Darlington hair salon forced to pay another former staff member thousands By 1997, the UK population had dropped to just 11 males. Thanks to decades of conservation, including reedbed restoration and legal protections, bittern numbers have slowly begun to recover. Now classified as: Amber-listed on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern list A Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Bitterns in the North: A Trail of Hope This year has seen a string of rare sightings across North East England, marking a promising trend: Rainton Meadows (February 4): Photographed by Ray Haldane, a sighting hailed as the first extended stay in over a decade RSPB Saltholme (2012 & 2022): A booming male was heard, although earlier attempts to attract a mate were unsuccessful Weardale: Noted for its rich mix of moorland and wetland habitats, ideal for bitterns North Yorkshire (June): Latest sighting by Steve Raine adds to regional optimism These sightings, while still rare, suggest that ongoing habitat protection efforts across the North are bearing fruit, slowly building conditions where bitterns can feed, nest, and possibly breed. Spotting a Bittern: What to Look For Size: 70–80 cm in length with a wingspan of 1.3 metres Appearance: Stocky heron with streaked beige, brown, and black plumage Behaviour: Stands motionless for long periods, mimicking reed stems Best Times: Dawn or dusk in spring and summer when they are most active Why It Matters Conservation groups like the Durham Wildlife Trust and RSPB encourage the public to: Report sightings responsibly Avoid disturbing sensitive habitats Support wetland protection initiatives Steve Raine's photographs from North Yorkshire join a growing body of evidence that the bittern is not just a relic of the past, but a living success story of British conservation.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Birdwatchers spot rare bird of prey over the skies of the North East
Nature lovers and conservationists were treated to a rare and exhilarating sight as a marsh harrier, one of the UK's rarest and most striking birds of prey, was spotted. With its wings held in a distinctive V-shape, the Harrier wheeled and soared over the industrial skyline at Seal Sands in Teesside over the last month. The marsh harrier is the largest of the UK's harrier species and is best known for its broad wingspan (up to 1.2 metres) and graceful, floating flight over reedbeds and marshlands. A Marsh Harrier (Image: PAT BLEWITT) Sightings in the North East remain relatively uncommon, making this recent appearance all the more thrilling for birdwatchers. Photographed by members of the Northern Echo Camera Club, including Chrissy Turner, Steve Raine, and now Pat Blewitt, the bird's appearance has ignited excitement among local wildlife communities. The marsh harrier's return to UK skies is nothing short of a conservation success story. In 1971, only one breeding female remained in the entire country, after decades of persecution and the destruction of vital wetland habitats. A Marsh Harrier in the North East (Image: PAT BLEWITT) Since then, thanks to intensive habitat restoration, legal protection, and the dedication of conservation groups, the species has rebounded. Today, over 500 breeding pairs are spread across the UK—mainly in East Anglia, Somerset, parts of Scotland, and now occasionally the North East. Though it is listed as Amber on the UK's Birds of Conservation Concern and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, sightings in the North East suggest the species is slowly expanding its range. Read more: Reform councillor steps down after a month so wife can enter garden competition Innocent: Darlington man cleared of sexually abusing young girl in his home 'It won't define us': Hartlepool's message a year after riots rocked town Although historically rare in the Northeast, marsh harrier sightings have become more frequent in recent years. This summer's confirmed sighting at Seal Sands, an estuarine wetland near the River Tees It's also worth noting that an increasing number of marsh harriers now overwinter in the UK, defying their traditional migratory pattern to Africa. This shift hints at the changing climate and evolving habitat conditions. The marsh harrier's dramatic comeback is more than a conservation win—it's a reminder that nature can recover when given space, time, and protection.
