Australasian Bittern (matuku) spotted in Te Atatu wetland, 15 minutes from Central Auckland

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Oscar Thomas
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Australasian Bittern (matuku) spotted in Te Atatu wetland, 15 minutes from Central Auckland

Postby Oscar Thomas » Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:36 pm

"An infrared camera set up for two days last week by Dion Pou at the Orangihina Wetlands in Te Atatū in West Auckland captured footage of the Australasian bittern (matuku), wandering through the wetland."
This is an awesome discovery, showing just how valuable this patch of wetland really is. We already knew it supported a good population of Fernbird and Banded rail, plus Spotless crake were discovered there just a couple weeks ago. This bittern could well have come from the Te Henga Wetlands about 20km west of the site (as the matuku flies) and it would've have to travel over suburban areas no matter which direction it came from. Who knows where else they will start to turn up.

Stuff article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/106271 ... t-auckland
Seven Sharp clip:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/seven-shar ... t-auckland
Logan
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Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:20 pm

Re: Australasian Bittern (matuku) spotted in Te Atatu wetland, 15 minutes from Central Auckland

Postby Logan » Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:09 pm

Have you had them at Tuff Crater before?
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Oscar Thomas
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Re: Australasian Bittern (matuku) spotted in Te Atatu wetland, 15 minutes from Central Auckland

Postby Oscar Thomas » Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:52 pm

Not yet, it is primarily mangrove so they might not be as interested compared to the saltmarsh at Te Atatu.

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