Bittern lurking in the reeds on Big Otmoor

Otmoor RSPB Nature Reserve, near Beckley, Oxfordshire (March 2009)

This was the closest view of the bird from the path to the second screen when it was visible through a gap in the reeds.

For more information on this bird species see the following links:
Eurasian Bittern / Internet Bird Collection
Eurasian Bittern / Bird Forum
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species / Botaurus stellaris