ML512815571

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Heron with stocky neck, yellow stripe on neck obvious. Dark in colour. Saw the two fly in from SE late morning following the treeline along the edge of the lake. They landed in the Willow trees on the point of the lake that is densely vegetated mostly with overgrown Willow trees as well as river red gums and Cabungi. Unsure of an identification we approached. We were quiet so we are not sure if we were the cause (the Willow trees are dense and we could not see them) but one flushed and started to fly across the lake 30 seconds later the second Bittern flushed and followed the direction of the other bird. Willow trees have been removed from Curlew Waters over the years and remain mostly in the South Eastern side which is where we observed the birds. As they flushed they flew across the lake into more Willow trees. We were floating in a boat (no sound motor) and could hear them most definitely calling out. After a few minutes they were chased by a Willow wagtail and Little Friarbirds, one Bittern landed in a River Red Gum and the smaller birds continued to mob the Bittern, both Bitterns then flew to the North Western side of the lake out of sight. The following day but much earlier in the morning 7.15am two Black Bitterns flew back into Curlew Waters, as occurred the previous morning (they flew in from SE direction) We did not see where they landed or make any further observations as we did not want to disturb the birds. The Lachlan River that feeds the lakes is currently in major flood and there is much shallow water around and abundance of food especially frogs and small fish.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D7200

Lens

200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

1400

Focal length

700 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/9.0

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

4148 pixels x 2765 pixels

Original file size

9.47 MB