The Nature of Morecambe Bay​

Bittern - Botaurus stellaris

A small thickset bird of the heron family that has buff brown plumage with darker bars. They are shy and live in wetlands and reedbeds on a diet of insects, amphibians and fish. The male makes deep booming sound in spring which carries far across the wetlands.

Great Crested Newt - Triturus cristatus

Our biggest newt, the great crested newt is almost black in colour, with spotted flanks and a striking, orange belly. It has warty skin and males have a long, wavy crest along the body and tail during the breeding season.
They are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.