First LITTLE BITTERN in Leicestershire for 55 years !!

See http://www.lros.org.uk/News.htm

Jim Graham found and photographed this juvenile LITTLE BITTERN at Cossington Meadows LRWT Reserve (Leics) yesterday afternoon (two of Jim's images published on the above website).

The bird was showing extremely well on the side of the river before flying to roost on the Reedbed Pool (SK 595 139).

Disappointingly, the bird could not be found this morning. To get to the site, park on the north side of Syston Road and take the riverside path north through the two metal gates. The pools are on the right after 200 yards.

The last Little Bittern in Leicestershire was in 1954 - a bird shot dead at Thornton Reservoir on 21 August Prior to that it was mid November 1867 !