Tiaki Maniototo is offering a field trip on enhancing wetlands with nationally recognised ecologist from The Love Bittern Project. 

The Bittern Conversation Trust secretary/treasurer and ecologist Wendy Ambury is due in the Maniototo on Thursday.

She travels throughout New Zealand in a van to raise awareness, meet with community groups on the ground and monitor and record the endangered native Australasian bittern (Matuku-hūrepo).

Tiaki Maniototo communication advisor Bill Morris said they will be putting out audio recorders to try to hear the distinctive “booming” of the bittern.

“Historically [the Australasian Bittern] would have been here, there is a good chance that we have one or two of them here, but they do move about a lot.”

Bill said the field trip was at Winmills planting site on Wilson Road, Ranfurly, part of a privately owned farm, but it was envisaged to become a community site in the near future. 

The bird was native to wetlands in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia and due to its mottled beige and brown striped appearance was very hard to spot in wetland vegetation. 

According to the Department of Conservation they have a threatened-nationally critical status and there are less than 1000 left. 

Threats to them are habitat loss, predation and disturbance. 

Visitors will learn about how to identify bittern, improve wetland habitats, get advice on planting and pest control. 

People need to bring a hat, water bottle and sunscreen with them on the field trip. 

Listen to a bittern’s booming call Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo territorial call

Learn more on The Love Bittern project website

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