A Bittern was seen and photographed by Keith Bragg on 2 January 2010 at 1045hrs beside Moor Brook (SX 59059275) which is on Dartmoor, just to the east of Okehampton Camp.

The bird was watched from a car and was only 15-20 feet away.

Our County Recorder, Mike Langman, comments: "The prolonged spell of freezing temperatures have played a role in this sighting of a Bittern on Dartmoor. As Inland lakes and Marshes freeze further north in Britain and on the Continent birds like bitterns will move south and west to find unfrozen feeding areas.

With other sightings of Bittern in recent days from other Devon Sites it might be worth a visit to a local unfrozen lake or marsh."