(Ixobrychus exilis)
The Least Bittern is an American bird species, a very small member of the heron family. It is relatively common and of 'least concern' status. Northerly nesting birds in Canada and USA migrate to Florida and the Caribbean to winter.
This bird was found in the car park at Scousburgh Sands on Shetland on 7th October. It is arguably the first live record of this species in the UK. It is likely that the bird was swept across the Atlantic Ocean by recent fast-moving storms and hurricane remnants. The bird was unfortunately in an exhausted and stressed condition and was taken into care. Sadly, it died overnight. Interestingly, a dead Least Bittern was found in a County Kerry garden in Ireland the following day on 8th October.
Although not on the British List there is a credible record of Least Bittern from autumn 1852. The bird was acquired near York as a Little Bittern but was later discovered to be a Least Bittern. It is currently in the Dorman Museum in Middlesborough (Evans 1994 Rare Birds In Britain 1800-1990).