Bittern-ness is Booming in the Lee Valley

Lee Valley Park is undoubtedly one of London’s greatest natural treasures. One that Londonist doesn’t visit nearly enough (thinks: *picnic*). Fortunately the area does have a few more regular visitors, including Mr. Bittern. Possibly the shyest bird on the planet, these chappies are heard but very rarely seen. And until the last 10 years their numbers had been in sharp decline. Rangers, who believe there are up to 7 boomers (it is only the mating male which booms: bloody typical) in the park, have just rescued an exhausted and undernourished bittern and are nursing it back to health. Aww! Anyway, forget multi-culturalism - hurrah for multi-species London. (Image/Dave Gorman)