LOVE birds at Leighton Moss chose Valentines Day to start their annual mating season.

Staff at the Carnforth nature reserve heard the distinctive mating call of their two male bitterns on the most romantic day of the year.

Senior warden Robin Horner said: "The birds were heard again a few days later, so we expect them to continue tuning uup until the breeding season gets into full swing in a few weeks' time."

Only 22 male bitterns were found in the UK last year, with most found in East Anglia.