Eurasian Bittern Brooch

100% recycled sterling silver with oxidised detail.

Known as the 'Bog Bull' thanks to its distinctive booming call, the bittern nests and feeds in wetland areas, preferring reedbeds among standing water that provide camouflage and fish for it to hunt.

A strange looking bird, its eyes are placed on the lower part of its head to make accuracy and constant watching easier.

Recent conservation efforts have raised numbers of breeding males to just over 200 - but the species remain on the Red List in the UK.  The cause of their reduction is largely habitat loss and reduction in reedbed quality and quantity.

Seawater floods into freshwater areas due to climate change and poor flood defenses also impact wetland quality and potential food sources for the bittern and other wetland birds.

Fun fact: a male bittern's booming call can carry up to 3miles.