Australasian bittern have been located living at the bottom of Sally Andrews farm across the upper Taiari scroll plain.
Photo: Supplied by Tiaki Maniototo
Getting confirmation that the critically endangered Australasian bittern were living at the bottom of her farm in Waipiata – was better than winning Lotto.
That’s how farmer Sally Andrews describes getting the news that audio recorders had captured more than 50 calls of male bittern at sites across the upper Taiari scroll plains – including at a spot on her farm.
Anecdotally bittern were present in the area in the 1950s.
The recorders were installed in a joint project by Birds New Zealand, Otago Regional Council, and Tiaki Maniototo – a group set up to restore and protect the Upper Taieri Scroll plain in the Māniatoto basin. Caitlin Daley is project manager for Tiaki Maniototo. Caitlin and Sally speak to Kathryn.
Australasian bittern have been located living at the bottom of Sally Andrews farm across the upper Taiari scroll plain.
Photo: Supplied by Tiaki Maniototo