Once bittern....

Went to Marsworth this evening to look out across the reed bed for bitterns preparing to roost. Chatted to a nice couple from Amersham trying to photograph them in the gloom. Eventually one popped up and then dipped down again almost as soon as it had appeared. They must wander through the reeds all day and then have a favourite spot they return to. About twenty corn buntings flew staight in....where do they come from? Apparently there used to be hundreds in the roost, but even so the only place you can regularly see them is at Pitstone Hill. It's another sad reflection on the deterioration of our farmland habitats...