Bitterns booming at night; after the storm

Bitterns (the UK's loudest bird) boom through the night. In this recording 2 (possibly 3) individuals can be heard emerging from the background of wind in the reeds and distant waves on the shore. Storm Kathleen blew hard for 2 days and this wind is the remnant. Bitterns are an endangered species, but the population has been increasing in recent years, a conservation success story. This special place, one of England's largest reed beds, has always been one of their strongholds. It is also home to many other marshland creatures like water rail, bearded tits, marsh harriers, cettis warblers and otters. The soundscape here is completely unique and a continuous audio stream was set up to listen over a 48hr period. All the following tracks are recordings from that stream. Early April is the height of the bittern breeding season so they boom fairly often. At quieter times there can be 20 or 30 minutes between each set of booms. A water rail squeals around 2min - another of the marsh's extraordinary sounds.