-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Myers [SMTP:
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2000 4:34 PM
To:
Subject: Little Bittern
Hi everyone,
I was at Lake Wendouree (Ballarat, Victoria) on Wednesday 26/1/00, where I
dipped on Little Bittern, but saw five Baillon's Crakes and a Buff-banded Rail.
I would also be interested in hearing when it/they (Little Bittern(s)) have been
seen most recently.
Hi Paul and others,
We went up to Ballarat on Sunday and dropped into Lake Wendouree in an attempt
to find these bitterns. Lots of Great Crested Grebes, Blue-billed and Musk
Ducks right in close to the shore, which was nice, as well as Water Rat. Saw a
total of 3 Baillon's Crakes very obligingly walking around on the floating
vegetation in overcast and freezing conditions. We'd pretty well given up on
the Little Bitterns when Stuart, who'd gone back to look at a very close crake,
yelled out that he'd just seen one fly. Apparently, it had landed in the reeds
of one of the islets that had a few trees (willow sp?) at its centre. Scouring
the reeds in vain, the adult female bittern suddenly popped up into one of the
trees allowing excellent scope views before disappearing behind the leaves.
This was the only one we saw and we heard none. Are the bitterns resident here
or a recent irruption, does anyone know?
cheers,
Susan
Susan Myers
Ph. +61 3 9899 9303
Fax +61 3 9890 8911
email
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