While not a life bird (a bird reported for the first time), I was thrilled to return to Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan this week to see an American bittern.
A small heron that breeds in our area, it’s very secretive and rarely seen in the open (it forages for food in cattail marshes).
The American bittern gave dozens of local photographers and birders terrific views as it foraged for crayfish and other small fish in a protected cove on Kent Lake.
When I took this photo, I had no idea it had just caught a fish. I was behind a group of photographers with long lenses.
I simply wanted to get a photo of it, since the last (and only time) I’ve reported and seen an American bittern was in 2020 across approximate 200 feet of marsh.
My photo in today’s post was taken maybe 50 feet away.
What a treat to see it foraging for food so close!
