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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Bittern - botarus stellaris

 

Called 'hæferblæte' in Old English, the word Bittern came to English from the Old French word 'butor', itself from the Gallo-roman 'butitaurus' a portmanteau of the Latin, 'butio' and 'taurus'. The Latin for Bittern, 'botaurus', also refers to a bull and the second part of its scientific name, 'stellata' comes from the Latin for 'starry' in reference to its plumage. Some historical names for Bittern include; Barrel-maker, Bog-bull, Bog-hen, Bog-trotter and Butterbump and mostly refer to the mating call of the male.

 

There have been four Bittern reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2011: (1)

One was found at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach in the morning on January 23rd and was present until January 25th. It represents the first record for the Severnside patch; One was seen again at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach on February 10th and 12th;

 

 

Bittern at Orchard Pools. January 2011. Paul Bowerman.

 

1997: (1)

On January 12th a presumed winter adult was flushed several times from Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station. (DH Payne and L Payne)

 

1931: (1)

Sometime in December near Hallen a presumed winter adult was ‘obtained’.

 

1892: (1)

Sometime in January at or near Hambrook a presumed winter adult was ‘obtained’.

 

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