The bittern was extinct as a UK breeder in 1886 and has recovered to around 200 booming males through reedbed restoration, representing a major conservation success dependent on continued habitat management.
Bitterns are solitary and highly territorial; crowding in small reedbeds increases inter-bird aggression and stress. Fish availability in reedbed pools directly determines adult breeding condition and chick survival. Reedbed drying during drought years eliminates the shallow water fishing habitat bitterns require. The welfare of individual bitterns is directly linked to the continued management of the specific reed bed patches they occupy.