Over the border - American Bittern, College Park MD

Having tried without luck on several occasions to see the American Bittern at Kenilworth, after chatting to Adam Parr I decided it was time to see the most obliging individual at the tiny pond over in College Park. In contrast to the bird at Kenilworth that takes flight as the faintest of hints of anyone or anything approaching its favoured corner, the bird at College Park is oblivious to on-lookers!

This is the pond, and yes, you can just make out the American Bittern on the edge of the shadow line. And yes, there are other birders/photographers/students to the right (I positioned myself on the side to get the sun coming more over my shoulder).

College Park, Maryland

It just struts about in the open, catching what I imagine are Signal Crayfish (highly invaisive in Europe now!).

American Bittern, College Park, Maryland

American Bittern, College Park, Maryland

American Bittern, College Park, Maryland

While I was there, this tiny patch of habitat also played host to Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Green Heron, Solitary Sandpiper and Killdeer, with Red-winged Blackbirds singing from the reed-tops.

Yellow-crowned Night-heron, College Park, Maryland

Green Heron. Maryland

But it's not in DC, so still hoping to catch the American Bittern at Kenilworth!!!