Little Bittern - Walka Water Works Maitland

[knightl <>]

Lynn,

the little bittern I saw moved with the rubbery grace of a large leech 
- a bird with a very elastic neck and very capable of oozing through
the reeds.

LK


On Monday, January 20, 2003, at 07:48  PM, Lynn Jenkin wrote:

> Hi  All
>  
> After nearly stepping on a Red-bellied Black Snake and whilst the
> adrenaline was still rushing, I got a very quick glimpse of what I
> believe could only have been a Little Bittern. It "melted" ever so
> effectively into the reeds and despite an hour of waiting and watching 
> was not seen again. The spot I saw it was if you walk around clockwise 
> and go past the ramp where people launch model boats etc and head to 
> the first seat under a tree just before Stan Parkes Memorial Grove,
> then back track to the first little inlet and look across into the
> reed bed. I saw a buff-yellow neck and wing , dark cap and yellow
> bill. The bird had an upright stance and colouring as in the Male
> depicted in Slaters. It didn't freeze but oozed into the
> background. My only doubts are from looking at Pizzey & Knight and 
> also my Readers Digest Video of 101 Australian Birds and the Little
> Bitterns look totally different in colour and stance. I would not have
> described this bird as dumpy. If anyone has any thoughts or is able to 
> get and confirm my I.D. would be much appreciated. I can't see what
> other bird it could have been.
>  
> Whilst waiting for it to reappear a Baillons Crake was patrolling the 
> mud between the reeds.
>  
> Other birds of note at Walka
>  
> Pink-eared Ducks  300-400
> Great Crested Grebes x10
> Hoary-headed Grebes x 2
> Musk Duck x2
> Latham's Snipe  x 2 
>  
> Also dropped into Bolwarra Wetland Reserve for the first time today, 
> not a bad spot. Saw two male Koels together in a Wattle Tree and
> another one calling in the distance. Around the waters edges were
>  
> Sharp-tailed Sandpipers x 2
> Latham's Snipe              x 1
> Buff-banded Rail             x1
> Red-kneed Dotterel         x 2
>  
> Also 14 Australasian Grebes as well as the common Ducks and Black
> winged Stilts and Black-fronted Dotterels.
>  
> Shortland Wetland Centre had 40 Glossy Ibis present ( including about 
> 16 immatures amongst the adults), fabulous to look out with the sun 
> shining off their backs.
> Also 12 Australasian Shovellers and about 70 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.
>  
> Ash Island turned up 2 Australian Spotted Crakes and a pair of
> Red-capped Plovers with 2 small chicks.
>  
> Regards
>  
> Dick Jenkin  
>  
> Dungog NSW
>  
Laurie & Leanne Knight

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