Skip to content

Bitterns: Britain's loudest birds are booming once again

Britain's loudest birds are "having an incredible start to the season" after making a comeback in Lancashire.

The RSPB reported ten "booming" male bitterns at Leighton Moss, Silverdale, the greatest number since the 1990s.

Just 11 of the birds - once extinct in Britain - were recorded making their distinctive sound in the whole of 1997.

Site manager Jarrod Sneyd said it was "very encouraging" to hear them so early in the year.

Why not follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]

6 April 2024

Explore More

Curlew, brown bird with speckled wings, mid-flight

The curlew's return to Lower Lough Erne

A screen grab from a camera inside an owl nesting box. It shows a mother owl and her four chicks. The mother owl and one of the chicks both have small rodents in their beaks.

A bird's-eye view inside a baby barn owl nest

Northern Ireland

An adult curlew standing in grass beside a wire fence

High-tech help for Wales' most threatened bird

Christopher Wheeldon

Footage shows man abseiling to take peregrine eggs

Cannich wildfire

Nature reserve damaged by wildfire

Bittern bird

Revival of rare booming bitterns

Campaigner Fiona Gilmore holds up a placard reading 'Concrete Coast: Come Clean National Grid'.

Suffolk's Coast: when offshore wind comes ashore

A curlew chick

'The success of this breeding season is unheard of'

Northern Ireland

One of Northern Ireland’s most endangered birds could be extinct within 10 years without help, according to the RSPB.

Camera captures curlew chicks on Antrim hills

Northern Ireland

Hundreds of birds were seen falling from the sky onto a road and into hedges

'It was like something out of a horror film'

Buzzards

Gamekeeper filmed beating buzzards to death

Mouse

Mouse sighting threatens Gough Island seabird project

Science & Environment

Blanket bog

The bog attracting rare birds back to Wales

Rathlin Island

Rathlin Island project tackles predator problem

Northern Ireland

Graham Winters

'I build nest boxes in my spare time'

The RSPB calls for netting on buildings to be taken down because it stops kittiwakes from nesting.

RSPB in netting call over 'heartbreaking' video

Stained-glass window being installed

'Magical' makeover for 800-year-old medieval chapel

South Asian widows exercising together in Blackburn. Image shows women doing chair yoga in a community centre.

Group's 30 years helping South Asian widows exercise

Many friendships have been formed in the group, which aims to improve health and mental well-being.

Curly the diving instructor adjusting a mask in a swimming pool as he teaches

Instructor's passion 'makes diving accessible'

An instructor is inspiring two men to achieve their dream of scuba diving.

Annabel Tiffin with election breakdown

How the general election could affect the North West

BBC North West political editor Annabel Tiffin explains the region's political map.

Simon Gray and one of his children in Ghostbusters outfits

Ghostbusters superfan lands role in latest film

Simon Gray has been collecting toys and merchandise for 30 years.

Ellis Palmer on his handcycle on the Lune Valley greenway

Cycle path transformation to become more accessible

A popular path for people walking and cycling near Lancaster has undergone a transformation.

Opening of Showtown Museum, Blackpool

Musical theatre star opens resort's showbiz museum

The £13m venue , Blackpool's first permanent museum and hopes to contribute to its regeneration..

Councillor approaching a woman in meeting

Councillor allegedly pushes protester in meeting

Lancashire Police says it is investigating an allegation of assault but no arrests have been made.

Spud brothers Harley and Jacob Nelson

Jacket potato tram gets TikTok tourism boost

The "spud brothers" stack up more than 17 million likes for their "modern day twist" on the hearty meal.

CCTV

Murder inquiry releases CCTV of suspect on bike

Lenny Scott, 33, was shot outside a gym in a "cruel and cold-blooded assassination", police say.

Fundraiser Hughie (left) rings a bell with best friend Freddie alongside him

Teen fundraiser rings bell for cancer all-clear

Hughie, 13, was joined by best friend, Freddie, to "ring the bell" to mark the end of his treatment.

Emu on the loose

Escaped emu on the loose on main road

The flightless bird was caught on dashcam footage while on the run in Rawtenstall.

Starling murmuration

Mesmerising starling murmuration captured at dusk

Thousands of birds are captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve in Lancashire.

Cleaning the chandeliers at Blackpool Tower

Restoring the sparkle of landmark's chandeliers

Every year the massive chandeliers are cleaned by hand at Blackpool Tower.

Barbara McInnis drumming

Woman, 90, says learning to drum brought her joy

Barbara McInnis, from Morecambe, has been taking lessons from former Simply Red drummer Chris Joyce.

staff with the two cats

Stray cats find forever home with rail staff

The feline duo have been demanding treats and inadvertently sending emails at a Blackpool depot.

Dog being treated on table

Donor dog's life saved by blood donation

Minnie, who donated blood four times, has ended up being saved after receiving a donation.

Seema

Self-taught chef wins cooking accolade

Ex-teacher Seema Dalvi is named best chef for the North of England at the Asian Curry Awards 2023.

Thousands of birds were captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve near Preston.

Stunning murmuration captured near nature reserve

Thousands of birds were captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve near Preston.

Emad Abuaassi

'We left everything behind when we fled Gaza'

Emad Abuaassi says he and his family had to leave their flat in the middle of the night.

Preston mural

Why gin bar mural symbolises a city

The mural painted on a listed building in Preston without planning consent can remain.