I had been working out of town last week and read reports of Australasian and Little Bittern's in Canberrra, needless to say i was spewing that i was not at home.
Anyway a hickup on the job got me home on Friday and i went straight out to the Little site but it started raining on the way.
Tucking my camera under my shirt i headed down to the pond and came across 3 birders there and they told me they got a quick view, with the rain coming down the others left but i started to walk around and bingo, there he was.
On Saturday i thought i would go to the Australasian site but with no reports since Tuesday i was not hopefull. On the way i decieded to stop at the A.I.S. ponds for a quick look and found that the bird had moved here.
I am sure i don't have to tell you but i am as happy as a pig in s**t
Great photos and story Shorty, I saw this on F&P and was amazed at your luck. Me and a couple of my mates that were some of the 1st people to find it are thinking of going to Rowes lagoon and McKellar ponds in search of Australasian bittern and Little Bittern.
Thanks, don't forget to check the A.I.S. ponds, that's where i relocated the Australasian on Saturday.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Wow, great pics, as usual from you
Peter
Beautiful shots and wonderful capture. Sue
Thanks, Peter. The Little was sighted yesterday and again today, so you might get lucky on Friday
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks, Sue.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Wonderful photos Shorty; I can understand why you'd be as happy as a pig in muck!
So the places to look are the Ginninderra Ponds by Gungahlin Pond for Little Bittern and AIS ponds for Australasian Bittern?
Magic shots Shorty, VERY envious
Thanks, Lachlan. For Little go to Heney close, McKellar. There is a small pond you will see when you get there. I have seen others pics and it seems there are at least 2 there (different plumage).
I have heard that there was a sighting of Australasian at McKellar ponds at about the same time i sighted the one at AIS, so both spots are worth a try.
When you are at the Little Pond walk throught the tunnel under William Slim Drive and turn left and you should see the ponds after a short walk.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks, Rick.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Wow! The encroachment of housing & all that so often brings would suggest the habitat for these bitterns is on life support. No doubt the council & developers are protecting & developing alternative habitat!
Good to see nature is hanging on and using the urban run off to survive . Like the photos.
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Yep, it is a well thought out city. They make these wetland area's for silt ponds to reduce the impact of silt and rubbish from going into the river systems but have a possitive impact for the wildlife. A couple of years ago in the middle of the city they transformed a stormwater drain into a wetland and this is also starting to produce new life to the city.
We also have undeveloped corridors for the wildlife to move around with relative safety.
I got the Australasian Bittern at the AIS again yesterday, i did put a report to Eremaea with a link to my photo as proof but it seems the pic is not clear enough as it did not get posted.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
a good pic Shorty, was that with your crappy Sigma lens?
Peter
Fantastic catches Shorty! Always brilliant when a plan comes together. It sounds like they're doing a fair job in Canberra with what you've described. Not clear enough, looks plenty clear enough for me?
West Coast Tasmania
Thanks, Annie.
It all started years ago when the labour party had to do deals with the greens to get power and now they are trying to out green the greens, win win for the environment.
Yeah, my posting comment is a bit tounge and cheek. Long story
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks for the photos and advice on finding them Shorty. Sadly I missed out- my bike wasn't working properly, and by the time I was in the area it was too dark to see anything.
No worries, Lachlan. The Australasian has moved to the AIS ponds in Bruce, i have sighted him there 4 times now.
In case you don't know where that is, the corner of Ginninderra drive and Braybrooke st Bruce.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
There was an item on Bush Telegraph this morning about the use of rice fields by Bitterns. The item didn't say whether they were Australasian or Little Bitterns or both. At least one of the rice growers is delighted by the Bitterns' presence as it gives the rice industry a more environmentally friendly image after all the bad press they've had about water use.
Yes, Woko this has been going on for a while. Some great farmers looking after the birds. You might like to read this.
http://www.murraywildlife.com.au/major-projects/bitterns-in-rice/
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Let's hope it leads to the rice farmers protecting & restoring natural as well as agricultural habitat.
Very good news, it's encouraging that they've adapted to the altered landscape. They must also be finding enough food, despite pesticide use etc.