Date: 4/25/25 5:46 pm From: Terry Miller <millert832...> Subject: American Bittern - surprise, remote location/habitat?
This afternoon I swung by the McGee Family CA (Cecil tract) to bird the 35 acres of virgin prairie (which had not been burned this spring). It is the only virgin prairie in Clinton County (northeast of KC and southeast of St. Joseph) where the entire county is primarily row crops and cattle pastures. Near the middle of the 35 acre tract is a small pond of about 1 to 1 1/2 acres. The dam is overgrown with tall willow trees and the rest of its perimeter has woody shrubs and tall prairie grasses.
When I approached it, I heard, and barely saw, a large bird take flight and head behind the dam's tall willows...out of sight. I assumed it was a Great Blue Heron. A few moments later, it flew over the willows and towards me. It definitely wasn't a GBH and I first thought was a Black-Crowned or Yellow-Crowned Night Heron by its size and shape. I glassed it quickly and, to my great surprise, I saw the "golden" stripes going down the neck and breast and easily identified it as an American Bittern! It continued flying away but I don't believe it will find any suitable habitat nearby. I left fairly soon...maybe it will return but I am doubtful.
That was definitely an unexpected bird! The virgin prairie and small overgrown pond edges must have appeared an oasis for a tired migrating Bittern I guess?
Spring birding is so cool! You never know what surprise bird you may encounter!
Terry L. Miller Plattsburg, MO <millert832...>
www.millerstaxidermy.net
Follow me on Instagram: terryl.miller
"Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made." Romans 1:20
"The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder." G.K. Chesterton
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