White-necked Heron in New Zealand

["Brent Stephenson" <>]

Hi Paul and others,

 

Yes this White-necked heron was spotted on the 24^th Jan and put over BIRDING-NZ on the 25^th.  This could well be the bird that was discovered in Hokitika (on the West Coast of the South Island) on 23 June 2002, New Zealand’s 4^th accepted record of the species.  The bird was last seen on 18 July 2002, and had not been seen since.  However, a bird has been sporadically reported from the greater Auckland area on several occasions before and since Xmas, but has not been quite as obliging as the Hokitika bird which stayed within almost the same paddock for the entire time it was present in that area.

 

In light of the terrible drought currently gripping much of Australia, we have been rather surprised at the lack of Australian vagrants being reported.  A black-tailed native hen discovered near Ashburton (on the east coast of the South Island, south of Christchurch) on 9 August 2002, and present for at least a month or more, has been the only other Oz vagrant of note, other than a one day red-necked avocet reported by Department of Conservation staff.

 

Cheers

Brent Stephenson

Eco-Vista: Photography & Reasearch + Wrybill Birding Tours

New Zealand

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/eco-vist/index.htm

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [ On Behalf Of Paul C. Hackett
Sent: Tuesday, 28 January 2003 9:02 p.m.
To: Birding Aus
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] White-necked Heron in New Zealand

 

Hi Everyone,

I have heard that a White-necked Heron has turned up in New Zealand. The bird has been sighted in Otago, app. 90km north of Dunedin on the south island.  

 

Cheers Paul.