The Bog Pumper!

One of my favorite birds to observe during the winter is one of our most secretive, the American Bittern. This cryptically colored marsh bird can be found in suitable habitat throughout Florida during winter; typically between November and March.
Yesterday, while counting shorebirds at St Marks NWR I noticed one walking along the edge of a reedy channel. Never one to waste a photo opportunity, I crept towards him and raised my camera. The bittern, now aware of my presence, froze and began to mimic the swaying reeds, which it was amongst, by moving from side to side. It was an awesome experience watching this beautiful bird trying to conceal itself. After getting a couple of pictures I backed away and the bittern went back to business, searching for a tasty frog or fish along the channel.


by assuming this erect posture and swaying from side to side the American Bittern fools would be predators like Bobcats into thinking it's a reed stalk blowing in the wind.

American Bitterns are big birds with a wingspan of 3.5 feet. They range across much of North America, choosing to spend their summers in the northern half of the continent and their winters in the south, including Mexico and the Caribbean. They can be found throughout Florida in marshes and wetlands. When used to people walking by, American Bitterns will forage in the open or at least where they are visible. Birding trail sites such as Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, St Marks NWR, the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR and Viera Wetlands are just a small sample of sites where I have had amazing encounters with this cool bird.

seconds after I took this bittern shot at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary it grabbed a frog! It happened so quick I missed getting a picture!

So next time you visit one of Florida's many beautiful wetlands, search along the edges of reedbeds for the secretive Bog Pumper, a fascinating bird!

Andy Wraithmell