Little bittern

Little bittern

It very rarely nests in fish ponds, lakes and flooded overgrown quarries, more common in the south eastern part of the country. Approximately 10 pairs of little bittern nest in the wetlands of Daugavpils city. Lithuanian population of the little bittern was estimated at 30-60 nesting pairs in 2013. Protected species in Lithuania.  It returns from hibernation sites in Africa and southern Asia in the middle of May. The male song resembles dog barking, which is mostly audible at night. It feeds on various invertebrates, fish, amphibians. It has a very hidden lifestyle, most often seen in flight low above the water surface.