Record breeding success Bitterns, one of Nottinghamshire’s rarest birds at RSPB Langford Lowfields

One of Nottinghamshire’s rarest birds, once nearly extinct in the UK, had a record breeding season in 2023.

Survey results published by the RSPB and Natural England show that Bitterns had a busy breeding season in 2023 with 243 males recorded booming across the country.

The numbers represent a 24% increase in the number of Bitterns booming just five years ago.

In Nottinghamshire, a record three booming Bitterns were recorded at RSPB Langford Lowfields and juvenile birds were seen for the first time.

Bitters are the loudest birds in the UK and when the males are looking to attract a mate, they make a loud booming sound, which can be heard up to three miles away in spring.

The nearly extinct species were first bred at RSPB Langford Lowfields in 2019.

The conservation efforts include replanting reedbed habitats that are ideal for birds. Once the replanting is completed, the nature reserve will be home to the largest reedbed in the East Midlands.

Joe Harris, site manager at RSPB Langford Lowfields, said: “Major flooding events like this are more common now because of our changing climate. It’s affecting people and our homes, but also wildlife.

“Wetland species like Bitterns have adapted to cope with flooding but land-dwelling invertebrates and small mammals like the tiny harvest mouse can’t avoid the devastating floods. Nature is connected, so this has a knock-on effect on species higher up the food chain with potentially less food available.”

The nature reserve was closed temporarily in October 2023 following severe flooding, however, it reopened last week.

The River Trent, which runs alongside the RSPB site, rose to its highest levels since 2000 and inundated the reserve, impacting the wildlife and damaging infrastructure.

The flooding over the winter damaged fences, equipment, access tracks and visitor infrastructure as well as causing erosion problems.

Joe added: “It’s remarkable to watch wildlife return and plants growing. The sounds and smells of spring are in the air and the reserve is still a haven for nature despite the floods.”

“The return of wildlife and plants at Langford has been quicker and better than we would have assumed, showing how resilient wildlife and natural places can be, especially with our helping hand.”