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Bittern, at Hatch Pond. Photo by Terry Elborn

Struggling to hear ducks quack and seagulls screech over the sound of traffic, it is hard to think there could be anything special about this urban nature reserve.

But the reedbeds of this unremarkable Poole pond have become an unlikely home to one of Britain's rarest and shyest water birds.

Hatch Pond Local Nature Reserve, sandwiched between Poole's biggest industrial estate and the residents of Canford Heath, is a favoured spot of the threatened, reed-skulking, "booming" bittern.

The adult swan and five cygnets sailing by are seen on many a stretch of water, but a diving great crested grebe that greets my arrival is another unlikely urban inhabitant. Infact two pairs raised four young this year.

Not just that, this unique wildlife haven on busy Hatch Pond Road boasts more than 100 bird species, many rare, and 22 dragon and damselflies.

And for those who prefer their wildlife not on the wing, an otter called it home for two weeks a few years ago and toads croak in the shallows.

"It's absolutely fantastic," said keen bird watcher Ewan Brodie from Broadstone. "It has such a wide variety of wildlife in such a small area of land."

He is a local expert, who has been regularly visiting this stretch of water since before the pit was flooded.

"I came here as a very small boy in the 1960s," he said. "It was a hole in the ground with piles of sand and a bit of water in the middle. It's changed a lot."

It was formed between 1822 and 1888 following mineral extraction, possibly of ball clay, and the open water now covers 10-12 acres.

Ten years ago a bittern fancied it for a winter stop-over and they have arrived in October in five of those years, with two in 2002 and 2006, staying until March.

"There are only 45 pairs that breed in Britain, few of which winter in Dorset," said Borough of Poole open spaces ranger, Terry Elborn.

"Last year they were particularly showy. This is most probably the best opportunity of seeing one in Dorset," said Terry, who took these photos of the shy bittern.

This thickset heron with buffy-brown plumage, is attracted to reed beds with water deep enough to catch fish and amphibians.

Additional channels have been dug and a viewing area provided to see this Red Listed bird, whose booming spring mating call would cause delight, if it stayed and bred in Poole.

A colourful new board by local artist Maria Burns illustrates some of the birds and other wildlife to be found on the pond.

"This is the perfect way to show off this beautiful area and the tremendous work that the rangers do to keep it special," said Cllr Peter Adams, portfolio holder for leisure services.

Ewan, who discovered the otter, has his own list of favourite sights, including a flock of 90 snipe taking off one evening and heading north.

Among rare birds and ducks he has spotted an American Lesser Scaup, never seen in Dorset before, which attracted 100 binocular and telescope peering bird watchers to the area.

And he has seen a Black Throated Diver with a slightly oiled tail, and a purple heron.

"It's a very good site, said Ewan, who visits two to three times a week. "We are very grateful that it's here and it's been presented in the way it has."

7:00pm Thursday 27th September 2007

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