Spotless Crake, Otukaikino Wetland (Christchurch)

[FraserGurney]

I've been passed some second hand news of a spotless crake with three chicks at Otukaikino Wetland in Christchurch. The observer is reliable and has a photo, although I haven't seen it.

Good record for the area and may be of interest to some Cantab birders.

Cheers!

[AngryBird45]

Is this possibly related to the ones that were at Lincoln Wetlands?

[andrewcrossland]

Spotless have long been known from this site and from other riparian wetlands along the nearby Waimakariri river. Since the quakes they’ve expanded their range into northern chch wetlands also (as have bittern and marsh crake). The lake Ellesmere population is sone distance away and has been known about for a long time too. There’s been recent records in the Halswell area which may represent relict populations or an expansion from one of these two populations.

[FraserGurney]

Cheers Andrew. Someone needs to get out and add it to the NZ Bird Atlas!

[Bev Alexander]

Hi Fraser,
If I had a bit more info--- Date, time etc I would put it on the Canterbury list. Bev

[andrewcrossland]

Hi Fraser, yep at sone point I’ll spend a week retrospectively transferring ccc surveys on to ebird to ensure the atlas has this info - all species data . Cheers