American Bittern… aka "thunder-pumper", "stake-driver", "mire-drum". Though not often seen, their sounds are commonly heard in the Refuge marshes this time of year. These secretive marshbirds frequent shorelines and vegetation edges that are dominated by tall emergent wetland plants. Their calls - loud, low, resonant, pumping sounds - are used to communicate within the thick vegetation, apparently to defend territory and find mates. This individual was both heard and seen (through a spotting sco