A Bittern has been showing very well at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.  Mere Sands Wood has been a hot spot for wintering Bitterns and decent photographs.  I believe this year it has been the best for a long time.  I think the number of sights with wintering Bitterns has been quite high in the North West this winter with reports from Leighton Moss, Brockholes, Marton Mere, Martin Mere, Wigan Flashes, Pennington Flash, Doffcocker Lodge and a few in Cheshire too. 

Over the last week and possibly longer than that even one has been showing right in front of the Rufford Hide.  It has certainly been pulling in the crowds.  Mere Sands Wood can easily be overlooked because of it's proximity to Martin Mere, Marshside but with it's woodland and wetland it is picturesque.  It is a good place for autumn photography on a still day. 

The Bittern showed very well but did not come right out in the open.  It is the longest I have viewed a Bittern for and it was interesting how it could crouch down and appear 2-3 feet to the left or right undetected.