Spotted while doing a wetland survey of Environment Canterbury land around the lower section of Åtukaikino Creek and tribs. (I saw one on the Friday before this as well). On Friday the bird flew out of a patch of Juncus pallidus and J. sarophorus rushland, on Monday the bird flew out of the willow treeland next to the creek.
Photo taken by 'Trail Camera' installed by Robyn Jones of 'Friends of Mangarakau'. We are currently hearing (and recording) lots of male 'booming' in this area.
You'll have to take my word for it that the white blob centre right is the head of a bittern, but it was verified with binoculars by an experienced bird-watcher.
Photo taken by a 'Trail Camera' installed by 'Friends of Mangarakau'. Camera was placed hoping to get a photo of Spotless Crake recently observed in this area, but we will settle for this nice shot of a bittern in the meantime. Analysis of sound recordings of Bitterns booming in the area last October indicate there were probably about 15 - 20 males present.
Summary[edit] Description: English: Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Edithvale Wetlands, Australia Svenska: Australisk rördrom (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Edithvale Wetlands, Australien. Date: 21 July 2014. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankzed/14726836493/. Author: Wayne Butterworth. Other versions: : This file has been extracted from another file: Australasian Bittern.jpg : .
Summary[edit] Description: English: Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Edithvale Wetlands, Australia Svenska: Australisk rördrom (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Edithvale Wetlands, Australien. Date: 21 July 2014. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankzed/14726836493/. Author: Wayne Butterworth. Other versions: : This file has been extracted from another file: Australasian Bittern.jpg : .