Managing reedbeds for bitterns - summary

Bitterns are exceptionally rare and elusive creatures, with only 20 'booming' males recorded nationwide, requiring large, wet reedswamps for courtship and breeding. Loss of the species from the UK in the late 1800s was followed by a their return in small numbers in the early 1900s. Despite a relatively rapid expansion to about 70-80 possible breeding pairs in the 1950s, by the 1990s the number had dropped to fewer than 20. This decline was linked to the change in reedbeds as succession took place (Tyler et al. 1998). Restoring this habitat for bitterns requires a reversal of this process, i.e. changing the state of the vegetation.

The RSPBs' 'boom or bust' campaign

Two LIFE Nature projects have contributed to this work (creating and restoring reedbed habitat 1996-2000 & developing a strategic network of reedbed sites 2001-2006 see http://www.bitterns.org/, which provides information on the progress of the work at the ten sites in the UK.). A major campaign has been launched which aims to produce ha of new reedbed. The more general approach is augmented by the more specific requirement to meet the new 'biodiversity target' of '100 territorial bitterns by 2020, the includes creating new habitat.

Bitterns in France

A programme for the restoration and management of habitats used by the Bittern in France began in April 2001 and will run until April 2005 under a LIFE project.

References

Tyler, G.A., Smith, K.W. & Burges, D.J. 1998. Reedbed management and breeding bitterns Botaurus stellaris in the UK. Biological Conservation, 86., 257-266.