BITTERN - AUSTRALASIAN

The Australasian Bittern is one of the rarer birds of NewZealand, found in only a few locations around the country. They are getting so few in number, that they’re pretty much fit for the endagered list.

I first heard of the Bittern when working in Mahia in 2020. Before I left I made three trips to the wetland but saw nothing. A year later saw me there again. Every night after work and a couple free days bought nothing again.

Next were the shores of Lake Ellesmere. After a dozen trips into the wetlands I had still seen no Bittern.

Ohope was next. I spent most of my Easter break looking but still nothing.

Then I came to work in South Wairarapa.

So when I was checking out a reserve and came across a sign talking about the Bittern, my interest was peaked but my hopes were not fantastically high.

Of course, time after time I came up empty handed, until after about four months I met a very special lady who showed me a very special place. This was a step back in time and a glimpse of what the land once was. Our second outing bought me my first Bittern sighting - with a couple of photo’s to boot.

500 AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

502 AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

537 CABBAGE TREE - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

MATUKU