Rare Bitterns Breeds For First Time In Over 200 Years

One of the UK’s most rare and threatened bird species has successfully bred on the Gwent Levels for the first time in over 200 years. Bittern chicks have fledged from two separate nests at the Newport Wetlands nature reserve.

Darryl Spittle, county bird recorder from the Gwent Ornithological Society said: "It was great to hear that Bitterns had bred successfully at the Newport Wetlands, another notable achievement for the NRW management team and an exciting addition to Gwent's current breeding avifauna. Whilst Bitterns possibly nested on the Gwent Levels in the past, the relentless drainage of wetlands in the 18th century mean it may have been the best part of 250 years since Bittern last fledged youngsters in the county." The car park at Newport Wetlands recently re-opened, having been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic - but visitors are being asked to adhere to social distancing guidance at all times.