An American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus, at the west ponds on Sable Island, May 5. Since 1990, seven have been sighted: two in May, one in September and four in October. Bitterns are secretive marsh birds, and their normal habitat is marshes and reedy lakes. When alarmed a bittern will freeze with its neck stretched up and bill pointed skyward, and its pattern of vertical stripes then provides camouflage against a background of marsh grasses.