I have seen a juv at the points marked by the 5 yellow stars and
glimpsed a probable adult male at the point marked by the violet star
From: David Rosalky [
Sent: Monday, 11 February 2008 6:36 PM
To: COG bird discussions
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Little Bittern
I
carry the dubious honour of being the last person in Canberra not to have
attempted to see the Little Bitterns. Having got my life in some sort of
order following a stint O/S, I took myself to Acacia Inlet this afternoon (4:30
to about 5:30pm).
I
realised when I got there that I was quite unclear as to where to look.
On the attached image, I did most of my viewing from point A, scanning
what I was able to see between B and C. The reeds at points F obscured
parts of the shore, so I also tried to obserrve from point C.
One
viewing I did get from point A was of a bird flying from B to C about a
metre or so above the water. Length and shape about right and
with trailing legs. But it was quite dark and streaked - no obvious
orange from where I was looking. So I don't know what I saw. It
disappeared once it went behind the reeds at F. Too big and wrong flight
for a crake.
Could
someone inform me whether I was looking in the right place and where, relative
to the marked points, the birds have been seen? Point D is what I would
call a "boat ramp" that has been referred to by several people, and E
is the pontoon.
-----
Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, February
09, 2008 1:32 PM
Subject: [canberrabirds]
Little Bittern
I finally caught up with a male
Little Bittern by Acacia Inlet this morning at around 10.30am after three
failed attempts.
I had fairly good views of the male bird for almost 20 minutes as it preened
and moved about atop a reedbed wedged in the corner of the lake shore west of
the boat ramp. This was the first male I had ever seen. A beautifully marked
bird.
Cheers
Marnix
