Just got back from a mornings birding at Lake Rotokauri, 15 minutes out of Hamilton. I arrived at ~7:30, and enjoyed a good few hours until 12 ish. Bird of the day was most certainly Bittern, with two birds booming in different spots and two more flushed by clumsy me . Sadly I was too slow for a photo, but bitterns are pretty blinkin unmistakable so I hope you will trust me.
Interestingly, both flushed birds were 1 after the other, first bird flying at about 10 and the second 5 minutes after. Not the same bird though as one was much greyer and in 2 different spots.
Racked up 32 species total, lots of passerines plus 2 Spotless Crakes, some Coots, WF herons and usuals like Mallards and Black Swans. Will post full ebird checklist shortly.
No dabchick surprisingly, but regardless this seems like a fantastic spot so close to town, and might be a good stop on future big days...
Please feel free to PM me for details
Bittern - Lake Rotokauri
- Liam Ballard
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 7:51 pm
- Location: Mt Eden, Auckland
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Bittern - Lake Rotokauri
Liam Ballard
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- Posts: 704
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:04 pm
Re: Bittern - Lake Rotokauri
Nice to hear there are some close to Hamilton - given it is the middle of the breeding season though minimal disturbance of birds would probably be best....
cheers
jim
cheers
jim