As Geraldine says, the Bittern canbe anywhere. Returned yesterday afternoon,
and after about an hour of trying to convince myself that various reeds had
moved and that must be the Bittern, I thought I'd walk out onto the central
island (with the willow) for the second and last time, to scan along the
eastern reeds again. Two steps on and the bird flushed, flew across the
water and landed in Phragmites up towards the boatshed. Quietly walked up
towrads it, but it was right against the bank, and flushed again before I
could see it, and landed in the Eleocharis(?) on the west side of the river.
Not wanting to flush it again, I looked first from the weir itself, before
slowly walking to near the river's edge. Finally, the reeds moved and got
agreat view from about three metres. Being aware that I had disturbed it
enough already, I walked back to the weir, and now knowing where it was,
watched it for about ten minutes from a safe distance, and it was still
quietly sitting when I left.
A beautiful bird, and well worth the time spent searching.
Cheers,
Peter
From: "Geraldine McCarthy" <>
To: "Peter Ewin" <>
Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] No Bittern + Hybrid Parrot
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 20:11:29 +1100
Bad luck Peter! Penny Drake-Brockman and I were at the weir at about 8 am
or
a bit later this morning, wednesday, and the Little bittern was on the
right
hand side of the Typha and seen immediately we raised bins from almost
across the weir. There was a visiting English couple,Neil and Jill, who
were
happy to see THE bird and the Azure Kingfisher and the Catbird and
Blackfaced Monarch at Wattle Flats.
After some time at Bonnievale among the usual suspects , which included a
wonderful display by a royal spoonbill in breeding plumage throwing his
moptop around and grooming and oiling himself for about 15-20 mins before
the female turned up, and some very playful and energetic Spotted
Pardelotes, we tried for the Little Bittern again about 12 noon with no
luck at all. The Azure was there and appears to have a nest in the bank not
too far north from the Boat hire shed.
The little Bittern could be anywhere! Best of luck from
Geraldine McCarthy
Balmain NSW
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