Shane McPherson bittern photo

Taken at Lake Humuhumu . Possibly a young bird due to dark , fresh plumage ?
Thanks Shane

Bittern sightings rolling in

Thanks all for bittern sightings. The latest sighting comes from Ross who sighted a bird at Moana- Lake Brunner.

Not so typical bittern habitat

On Monday morning Lisa from Rolleston sighted a bittern on this road edge near Lincoln. The bird froze when sighted. The rank broom on the edge of the road perhaps was a substitute for reeds. I went out the following morning but had no luck in finding the bird. Unusual habitat for a bittern , but only 15 kilometres away from the bird's strong hold in Canterbury, on the western side of Lake Ellesmere. So keep an eye out as bitterns turn up in some unusual locations in the Autumn.
Regards
Peter

Typical bittern habitat

Bitterns are a key species marking out wetlands of high bio-diversity- so should be celebrated in 2010 - the international year of bio-diversity. The photo shows typical bittern habitat with a range of wetland vegetation and shallow feeding edges.

Bittern blog- 2010

Thank you to everyone who submitted bittern records last year. DOC is now working on an analysis of the records gathered- almost 4000 in all.

The blog will now operate as an informal discussion on bitterns in NZ.

Comments can be made on the blog. If anyone has any photos or images they want on the blog please email me - langlands@xtra.co.nz

Happy bitterning

Kind regards
Peter Langlands

Peter Langlands
Outdoor/ environmental writing and photography
B.Sc (Zoology) Diploma of Science (Aquatic Ecology)

H: 64 3 338 5373
M: 0274 501 916
E: langlands@xtra.co.nz

P.O.Box 2819
Christchurch Mail Centre
New Zealand